Blackhawks hold 2-1 lead over Colorado after one period

By Chris Kuc

DENVER--Hey, look, it's the Blackhawks' power play! It apparently made the road trip with the team afterall.

The Hawks took a 2-1 lead over the Avalanche after one period Friday night at the Pepsi Center. The first goal came with the Hawks on the power play as Dustin Byfuglien scored his sixth of the season. With Milan Hejduk in the penalty box for hooking, Byfuglien's shot from the point came with Tomas Kopecky providing traffic in front of Avalanche goaltender Craig Anderson and was just the Hawks' third goal in their last 34 power-play opportunities.

Duncan Keith made it 2-0 with his fourth of the season after a nifty give-and-go with Kris Versteeg. Keith finished with a shot from between the circles that eluded Park Ridge native Anderson. Versteeg and Patrick Kane picked up their second assists of the night on the score. 

Colorado's Ryan O'Reilly scored in the waning moments on a rebound of a Svatos shot to finish the opening period scoring.