CHICAGO – Scott Wedgewood shone with 22 saves, achieving his first shutout of the season. The Colorado Avalanche extended their winning streak to nine games, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks with a score of 1-0.
Cale Makar scored the only goal of the game in the second period for the Avalanche, who lead the NHL. This streak is the team’s longest since they won nine straight games in March 2024. Colorado improved its record to 16-1-5 and has points in 13 straight games (11-0-2), since their only regulation loss against Boston on October 25.
Spencer Knight, Blackhawks’ goalie, made 25 saves. The Blackhawks have lost three straight games after a six-game point streak (5-0-1).
Wedgewood’s ninth shutout of his career gives the Avalanche two in two nights. Colorado was coming off a 3-0 win in Nashville on Saturday, where Mackenzie Blackwood made 35 saves.
Wedgewood, who has been a backup for most of his career, leads the NHL with 13 wins and has a goals-against average of 2.23, the best in the league.
Makar leads NHL defensemen with nine goals and 29 points. Tristen Nielsen, playing his fourth NHL game, assisted on Makar’s goal, earning his first point.
The Blackhawks dominated the first period, outshooting Colorado 11-2 and testing Wedgewood on several occasions. His most outstanding save may have been against Ryan Green, who fired a direct shot when he was alone in the scoring area with 5:42 remaining.
The Avalanche reacted in the second period and outshot Chicago 19-1.
Makar finally connected with 1:39 remaining in the second period, with Colorado’s 19th shot of the game, scoring a rebound from the left circle. The goal came when a pass from Knight was intercepted by Nielsen, who then shot from the right circle.
Chicago pressed at the end of the third period, but Wedgewood made several close saves, including a point-blank stop on Frank Nazar with 43 seconds remaining and Knight out of the net for an extra attacker.
