After a sluggish start, Jonathan Toews and the Blackhawks stormed back late with a rapid-fire rally to strengthen their grip on first place in the Central Division -- and the Western Conference.

Toews scored twice, and Richard Panik and Artemi Panarin each had a goal in a span of 3:02 in the third period to erase Colorado's two-goal lead and send the Blackhawks past the Avalanche 6-3 on Sunday night for their fifth straight win.

The victory, combined with Los Angeles' 5-2 loss at Calgary on Sunday, clinched Chicago's ninth straight playoff berth.