CHICAGO – Scott Wedgewood shined with 22 saves, achieving his first shutout of the season, and the Colorado Avalanche extended their winning streak to nine games, after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 1-0 on Sunday night.
Cale Makar scored a crucial goal late in the second period for the NHL-leading Avalanche. This winning streak is the team’s longest since they won nine straight games from March 4-24, 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 made 25 saves for the Blackhawks, who suffered their third straight loss after a six-game point streak (5-0-1).
The ninth shutout in Wedgewood’s career gave the Avalanche two in two nights. Colorado came off a 3-0 victory in Nashville on Saturday, thanks to Mackenzie Blackwood’s 35 saves.
Wedgewood, who has been a backup for most of his career, leads the NHL with 13 wins and had the best goals-against average in the league, with 2.23.
Makar leads NHL defensemen with nine goals and 29 points. Tristen Nielsen, playing his fourth NHL game, assisted Makar’s goal, earning his first point.
The Blackhawks dominated the scoreless first period, outshooting Colorado 11-2 and testing Wedgewood on several close chances. His most outstanding save may have been against Ryan Green, who fired a direct shot when he was alone in front of the net 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, on Colorado’s 19th shot, scoring a rebound from the left circle. The goal came when a clearing pass from Knight was intercepted by Nielsen in the area, and then Nielsen turned and took a first 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 pulled for an extra attacker.
