Quenneville: Avs 'a great example' of how quickly Hawks can turn it around

For the first time since 2008, the Chicago Blackhawks will not be participating in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

But after being officially eliminated from postseason contention with a loss to Colorado on Tuesday, Chicago only has to look at those Avalanche to see how fast a team can rebound from a down season, according to head coach Joel Quenneville.

"There's a great example, the team we played today, of how far out you can be and how quickly you can recapture that winning attitude and feeling," Quenneville said, according to NHL.com's Tracey Myers.

"Things can go right, from goaltending to special teams to top players. There are a number of ways you can make a difference."

At this time a year ago, Colorado was clearly entrenched as the worst team in the NHL and finished 2016-17 with the worst record of any team since the adoption of the shootout. Now, the Avs sit in a wild-card spot and could even move into third in the Central Division by the end of the regular-season slate.

At least the Blackhawks' situation doesn't appear as dire as Colorado's looked last year. Chicago still has pieces of a championship core in place, which includes injured goaltender Corey Crawford, who was playing some of the best hockey of his career before being forced from the crease for much of this season.

"You're always going to have years where you'll have significant injuries," Quenneville added. "Some things go against you and we've always been able to overcome them and find ways and rectify tough situations and get back on track. This year we've been unable to do it."