The Colorado Avalanche extended their winning streak to nine games with a narrow 1-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. This win, fueled by Scott Wedgewood's stellar performance in goal and a timely goal from Cale Makar, showcased several key aspects of the Avalanche's current success.

1. Wedgewood's Standout Performance: Scott Wedgewood was the undeniable star of the game, earning his first shutout of the season and the ninth of his career. He made 22 saves, including crucial stops in the first period when the Blackhawks dominated play, outshooting the Avalanche 11-2. His performance was particularly impressive considering his role as a backup goaltender, stepping up to lead the NHL with 13 wins and maintaining a league-best 2.23 goals-against average. Wedgewood's sharp reflexes were on full display, notably denying Ryan Green's one-timer from close range in the first period and a point-blank shot from Frank Nazar in the dying seconds of the third. Coach Jared Bednar praised Wedgewood's performance, acknowledging that he "did a great job keeping us in that game in the first period".

2. Makar's Offensive Impact: Cale Makar, a constant offensive threat from the blue line, scored the game's only goal late in the second period. Makar leads all NHL defensemen with nine goals and 29 points. His goal came off a rebound from a shot by Tristen Nielsen, who was making his fourth NHL appearance. Makar's ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and contribute offensively is a major factor in the Avalanche's success.

3. Resilient Team Effort: Despite a slow start where they were outshot early, the Avalanche demonstrated resilience and gradually took control of the game. In the second period, they outshot the Blackhawks 19-1. The Avalanche's penalty kill was also perfect, successfully eliminating two Chicago power plays. This win marks the first time in franchise history that the Avalanche have recorded shutouts on back-to-back days, with Mackenzie Blackwood's 35-save shutout against the Nashville Predators the previous night. This defensive solidity, combined with timely scoring, is a hallmark of their current winning streak. The Avalanche now stand at 16-1-5 for the season and have earned points in 13 straight games.