DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche wrapped up their six-game home stand tonight with a milestone night. Colorado tried to bring the momentum from victory over Toronto, but a reversed call in the first slowed things down.

Nathan MacKinnon became just the 100th player in NHL history to hit 1,000 career points. Scott Wedgewood was on fire, securing his eighth career shutout and second of the second of the season.

First period

All the fans were on the edge of their seats as the game began, knowing that Nathan MacKinnon was so close to a milestone. Seven and a half minutes into the game, we thought we were going to see history in the making. Artturi Lehkonen crossed the blue line as Martin Necas came across the line with him. Lehkonen passed across the ice to MacKinnon. The MVP sent the puck down low to Necas and he tapped it past goaltender Spencer Knight. Chicago challenged the goal for offsides and the goal was reversed after a lengthy review.

With just over seven minutes remaining in the period, Connor Bedard led a charge into the Avalanche zone. He made a move to the left and took a weak wrist shot from the top of the slot. Goaltender Scott Wedgewood was on his back and may have made the save of the year for him. The two would close the period at scoreless tie.

Second Period

Things evened out for both sides as the game slowed down. About halfway through the period, Miles Wood rushed the crease, and an opponent tripped him. Wood, who received a goaltender interference penalty, took Knight out. Then on the first face-off to start the penalty kill, Cale Makar tripped up Teuvo Teravainen. Chicago had almost a full two minutes to attack with a two-man advantage, but failed to do anything with it. Wedgewood continued to stay hot, making what looked like impossible saves to keep the Avalanche in the game. Both the Hawks and the Avalanche could not convert any chances and remained scoreless at the end of the second.

Third Period

It did not take long for the Avalanche to get their legs going in the third period. Just thirty seconds into the frame, MacKinnon nailed his 1,000th career point. MacKinnon got the puck down in the corner and carried around up to the blue line to drop off for Devon Toews. The defenseman ripped a shot towards the net and Lehkonen redirected the puck past Knight to make it 1–0.

Just four minutes later, the Hawks were trying to get the puck out of the zone along the half wall. MacKinnon screamed in along the wall to steal the puck and centered it for Necas in the slot. The Avalanche took a 2-0 lead when Necas’ shot sailed past Knight’s shoulder.

Joel Kiviranta would add an empty net goal with 53 seconds left in the game to solidify the win for the Avalanche and their sixth straight victory.

Observations from the Mountaintop

Colorado will head into tomorrow night’s contest with a four point lead over the Minnesota Wild in the standings. In the past, goal reversals would have sucked the air out of the Avalanche. That was not the case tonight. They slowed down through the rest of the first and in the second, but picked it up in the third. The last two games for the Avalanche have a different feel to them. They seem energized and the depth will help every player on the roster for the rest of the season. There is a lot to look forward to for the rest of the season.

Next Game

The Avalanche will head onto the road tomorrow night to battle against the Minnesota Wild. Puck drop is at 6 p.m. MT for all to watch on Altitude Sports.