Colorado (7-5-0) at Chicago (6-5-0)

The Chicago Blackhawks hope to shut down Peter Forsberg and earn their first win against Colorado since the 2001-02 season as they host the Avalanche at the United Center.

The Blackhawks have dropped five straight to Colorado, including a season-opening 5-0 loss on Oct. 10. The Avalanche have outscored the Blackhawks 22-7 during the stretch.

A win Sunday would be Chicago’s first over Colorado since a 3-2 triumph on Feb. 9, 2002 at the Pepsi Center.

Chicago’s top priority will be stopping Forsberg, the reigning Art Ross Trophy winner. Although he hasn’t scored a goal in the last two seasons against Chicago, he has 11 assists over the last six meetings and 10 goals and 28 assists in 25 career games against the Blackhawks.

Chicago is looking for its first four-game winning streak since 2001-02 and is coming off a 2-1 win over Nashville on Friday.

Jocelyn Thibault made 31 saves, while newly signed defenseman Bryan Berard and Steve Poapst each scored in the victory.

Berard scored his first goal of the season at 8:03 of the second, firing a wrist shot between goalie Tomas Vokoun’s legs.

“Berard was excellent,” Chicago coach Brian Sutter said. “It was his first game. He shot from where goal-scorers shoot pucks.”

The Avalanche are unbeaten in their last three games (2-0-1), including a 2-1 win over Phoenix on Thursday.

After a three-game absence due to a strained groin, Forsberg returned to the ice, picking up his 500th career assist.

Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk scored third-period goals, and rookie Philippe Sauve made 27 saves for his first NHL victory. Sauve was rewarded with the start Thursday night but downplayed its significance.

“There is not going to be no goaltending controversy at all,” he said. “Whenever I get in the net, I just want to do the best I can. (David Aebischer) is the guy here.”

Colorado got three players back from injury, including Forsberg. But forward Paul Kariya missed his eighth straight game with a sprained right wrist, and defenseman Adam Foote was out with a strained hamstring.

STANDINGS (through Nov. 7): Avalanche - 15 points, 2nd place, 5 PB, Northwest Division. Blackhawks - 15 points, 2nd place, 2 PB, Central Division.

TEAM LEADERS: Avalanche - Milan Hejduk, 9 goals; Alex Tanguay, 13 assists and 18 points; Jim Cummins, 30 PIM. Blackhawks - Steve Sullivan and Kyle Calder, 4 goals; Sullivan, 7 assists and 11 points; Mark Bell, 44 PIM.

SPECIAL TEAMS (through Nov. 7): Avalanche - Power play: 24.6 percent (16 for 65), 2nd in NHL. Penalty killing: 84.5 percent (49 for58), 17th. Blackhawks - Power play: 14.7 percent (10 for 68), 20th. Penalty killing: 84.9 percent (73 for 86), 30th.

GOALTENDERS: Avalanche - Aebischer (6-3-0, 1 SO, 2.50 GAA); Sauve (1-2-1, 0, 2.36). Blackhawks - Thibault (5-3-2, 1, 2.27); Michael Leighton (1-2-1, 0, 2.21).

SEASON SERIES: Avalanche, 1-0.

LAST MEETING: Oct. 10; Avalanche, 5-0. At Colorado, Kariya and Teemu Selanne combined on a goal less than six minutes into their Colorado debuts, and Aebischer made 31 saves in his first game as the Avalanche’s No. 1 goalie.

ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Avalanche - 3-2-0-0 on the road; Blackhawks - 3-2-0-0 at home.