Scott Wedgewood’s heroic shutout powers Colorado Avalanche to ninth straight win 1-0 over Chicago Blackhawks

The Colorado Avalanche continue to redefine dominance in the 2025-26 NHL season, extending their winning streak to nine consecutive games with a gritty 1-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. Scott Wedgewood delivered a masterclass in netminding, stopping all 22 shots he faced to secure his first shutout of the season and the ninth of his career. The triumph marked an unprecedented achievement for the franchise, as Colorado became the first team in its history to record shutouts on consecutive calendar days, following Mackenzie Blackwood’s 35-save blanking of Nashville less than 24 hours prior.

Cale Makar’s ninth goal of the season, scored with just 1:39 remaining in the second period, proved to be the lone tally in a tightly contested defensive battle. The victory improved Colorado’s NHL-best record to 16-1-5 and extended their point streak to 13 games (11-0-2) since their lone regulation defeat at Boston on October 25. The Avalanche now sit seven points clear of second-place Carolina and Dallas, creating a gap equivalent to the distance between those clubs and the 25th-ranked San Jose Sharks.

Wedgewood’s shutout highlights Avalanche’s ninth straight win

Scott Wedgewood entered Sunday’s contest leading the NHL with 13 victories, but the veteran goaltender had yet to record a shutout during his remarkable campaign. That changed against a hungry Blackhawks squad that threw everything at Colorado in the opening frame. Wedgewood’s 22 saves included several highlight-reel stops, none more crucial than his point-blank denial of Frank Nazar with 43 seconds remaining and Chicago’s net empty for an extra attacker.

The performance was particularly impressive given Colorado’s sluggish start. The Avalanche managed just two shots in the first period—one being a casual dump-in from center ice by Nathan MacKinnon—while surrendering 11 quality chances to the home team. Wedgewood’s composure under pressure kept his team afloat during their worst period of the weekend, mirroring Blackwood’s heroics the previous night in Nashville when Colorado was similarly outplayed early yet emerged victorious.

First period struggles test Colorado’s resilience

For the second consecutive game, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar watched his team stumble through an abysmal opening 20 minutes. Saturday’s effort against Nashville saw Colorado outshot 16-6, but Sunday’s first period was somehow worse. The Blackhawks dominated territorially, generated multiple high-danger scoring opportunities, and seemed poised to break through against a fatigued Avalanche squad playing its second game in as many nights.

Wedgewood’s sharpest save came against Ryan Green, who found himself alone in the crease and unleashed a dangerous one-timer with 5:42 left in the period. The goaltender’s lightning-quick reaction preserved the scoreless tie and allowed Colorado to escape to the intermission unscathed. Bednar didn’t mince words after the game, stating plainly: “Our first was not very good at all. I thought Wedge did a great job keeping us in that game.”

The Avalanche also struggled on special teams during the opening frame, failing to register a single shot attempt during their lone power-play opportunity. This continued a troubling trend for a unit that entered the game ranked 24th in the NHL, converting just 16.3% of its chances. Since erupting for four power-play goals against New Jersey on October 28, Colorado has managed only 6 successes in 40 opportunities (15.0%) over the subsequent 11 games.

Makar’s brilliance breaks the deadlock

While goaltending stole the headlines, Cale Makar once again demonstrated why he stands alone as the NHL’s premier offensive defenseman. His ninth goal of the season leads all blueliners and places him on a 33-goal, 108-point pace across a full 82-game schedule—both of which would shatter his previous career highs. The decisive tally came on Colorado’s 19th shot of the contest, a testament to their second-period resurgence when they outshot Chicago 19-1.

The play originated from an unlikely source. Rookie forward Tristen Nielsen, skating in just his fourth NHL game, intercepted an errant clearing attempt from Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight in the slot. Nielsen fired a quick shot from the right circle that Knight stopped, but the rebound kicked directly to Makar positioned in the left circle. The reigning Norris Trophy contender made no mistake, wiring the puck off the post and into the net with precision that left Knight no chance.

The moment held special significance for Nielsen, who earned his first career NHL point on the primary assist. His strong shift exemplified the depth contributions that have become crucial for Colorado, especially with four of the team’s top 12 forwards currently sidelined due to injury. The absence of key offensive weapons like Valeri Nichushkin has forced younger players into larger roles, and Nielsen’s composure under pressure suggests the Avalanche pipeline remains robust.

Historic goaltending tandem powers Colorado’s dominance

The back-to-back shutouts represent more than just statistical footnotes—they highlight the extraordinary goaltending depth that separates Colorado from other Stanley Cup contenders. For a franchise with three championships and a rich history of elite netminders, the fact that no previous iteration has recorded shutouts on consecutive days speaks volumes about this team’s unique construction. Mackenzie Blackwood’s 35-save masterpiece against Nashville set the stage, and Wedgewood’s flawless follow-up performance created history.

Wedgewood’s postgame comments revealed the competitive camaraderie driving the goaltending duo. “I told (Blackwood) to piss off,” Wedgewood joked. “I give up nine one-goal games and he comes out and gets a shutout and laughs in my face… Obviously we are proud of each other and every time we get in there, we are our biggest fans.” This lighthearted rivalry pushes both netminders to elevate their performance, creating an environment where excellence becomes the expectation rather than the exception.

The statistical profile of Colorado’s goaltending tandem borders on absurd. Wedgewood leads the NHL in wins (13), ranks in the top five in save percentage (.918) and goals-against average (2.09), while Blackwood has been equally stingy when called upon. Combined with a defense anchored by Makar, Devon Toews, and Samuel Girard, the Avalanche have transformed into a defensive juggernaut that can win games even when their high-powered offense sputters.

Back-to-back shutouts mark franchise first

The achievement becomes even more remarkable considering the context of Colorado’s weekend. The Avalanche played three games in four nights, traveling from Denver to Nashville and then to Chicago while missing significant offensive firepower. Fatigue could have easily provided an excuse for subpar performance, yet the goaltending excellence ensured that fatigue never became a factor in the final scores.

Chicago entered Sunday’s contest desperate to halt their own three-game losing streak after a promising six-game point run (5-0-1). Spencer Knight played admirably for the Blackhawks, stopping 25 of 26 shots, but his offensive support evaporated after the first period. The 19-1 shot disparity in the second frame completely flipped the game’s momentum, as Colorado’s territorial dominance suffocated Chicago’s ability to generate sustained pressure.

The shutout also represented Wedgewood’s ninth career blanking, but his first as a member of the Avalanche. At 32 years old, the veteran netminder has carved out a career as one of the league’s most reliable backups, yet this season has thrust him into the spotlight as a legitimate number-one option. His ability to match Blackwood’s zero on the scoresheet demonstrated that Colorado’s goaltending strength runs more than one deep—a critical factor for postseason success.

Defensive mastery masks offensive challenges

While the final results have been spectacular, the Avalanche’s recent play has exposed some concerning trends that could prove problematic against elite competition. The power play’s continued struggles represent the most obvious weakness on an otherwise dominant roster. Converting at just 16.3% overall and managing only 1 goal in their last 16 attempts over five games, the man-advantage unit has become an Achilles heel that opponents are actively exploiting.

Colorado’s reliance on goaltending to weather early storms also raises questions about their ability to control games consistently. Against Nashville and Chicago, the Avalanche were outshot 27-8 in first periods yet emerged with two victories. While exceptional goaltending can paper over these cracks in the regular season, playoff hockey often punishes slow starts more severely.

Despite these concerns, the team’s even-strength dominance cannot be ignored. Colorado entered the weekend ranked as the NHL’s best team at 5-on-5 play, complemented by a penalty kill that sits among the league’s top three units. This balance allows them to win multiple ways—either through offensive fireworks or defensive grinding—making them an incredibly difficult matchup on any given night.

What this streak means for Colorado’s championship aspirations

The nine-game winning streak matches Colorado’s longest run since March 4-24, 2024, and extends their point streak to 13 contests. This level of sustained excellence has created significant separation in the standings, with the Avalanche holding a seven-point cushion over their nearest competitors. Such a lead provides valuable breathing room for managing player workloads and allowing injured stars to recover fully before the postseason push begins in earnest.

The streak has also reinforced Colorado’s identity as a team that can win under any circumstances. They’ve demonstrated the ability to overcome slow starts, survive without key offensive contributors, and thrive on defensive excellence when scoring proves difficult. This versatility separates truly elite teams from those that rely on a single style of play. As Wedgewood noted after the game: “We are going to get everyone’s best here as we keep going with this record. If you’re the top dog in the league, everyone is going to want to knock you down a peg.”

Historically, teams that establish this level of regular-season dominance carry significant momentum into the playoffs. The Avalanche’s combination of elite goaltending, Norris-caliber defense, and forward depth creates a championship blueprint that few opponents can match. While power-play concerns remain, the team’s ability to win low-scoring affairs suggests a maturity that transcends stylistic preferences.

Colorado’s next challenge involves maintaining this intensity while addressing their early-game sluggishness and power-play inefficiency. As the calendar turns toward December and the schedule becomes more congested, the Avalanche must find ways to generate more consistent offensive pressure without overtaxing their goaltenders. The return of injured forwards should help, but the development of young contributors like Nielsen may ultimately determine whether this team can sustain its current level of play through the grueling months ahead.

For more analysis on Colorado’s dominance, read our detailed breakdown of their 1-0 victory over Chicago and how this win streak compares to their earlier victory over Anaheim.