INSTANT REACTION: Avs battle through another sleepy game to take 1-0 shutout win over Chicago Blackhawks

Well… That was certainly a game.

The first period sucked. I have nothing more to say about it. Finished a sleepy game last night with two empty-netters, just to come into this one just as sleepy.

The second period was much, MUCH better. The Avalanche limited the Chicago Blackhawks to one shot on goal, six shot attempts. The Avs looked like the most dangerous team, a stark contrast to their sleepy performance in the first, and they got a goal out of it thanks to Cale Makar on cleanup duty.

The third period seemed much more balanced, but ultimately, the Avs hold onto their lead here to head home for a 1-0 win. Punctuated with back-to-back shutouts from their goaltending tandem, that’ll make nine wins in a row for the Colorado Avalanche.

A Battle of Goaltending

Let’s play a game called ‘How many times can Bailey say goaltending was really, really good?’

Because, yet again, goaltending is my key takeaway from a game. Credit to Spencer Knight on the other side, but Scott Wedgewood was the shining star, especially through the first period, where Chicago led 11-2 in shots, four of which were high-danger chances.

Knight proved exactly why he is currently the best goaltender in the league, allowing just one shot on the slew the Avs threw at him from the second period on. But ultimately

After a stellar shutout performance from his tandem partner, Mackenzie Blackwood, last night against the Nashville Predators, Colorado proved that the goaltending is a two-headed monster right now. Back-to-back shutout performances… This tandem seems unreal.

Tristen Nielsen, welcome to the NHL!

Playing in your first NHL game is always a moment you’ll remember forever… but scoring your first point? That’s magical.

It’s a moment Tristen Nielsen got to experience today.

You ALL need to hear the call on this one 😂 pic.twitter.com/XLMSbXBbJl

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 24, 2025

In a period where the Avs finally managed to find some life, Nielsen creates a turnover in the slot and manages a sharp shot on Spencer Knight. Cale Makar cleans up the rebound, and Nielsen gets credited with the lone assist.

Avs postgame pod