Denver, Colorado – The Colorado Avalanche rebounded from a recent lull, securing a decisive 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at Ball Arena on Saturday. The win, coming after a three-week break for the 2026 Winter Olympics, saw key players Cale Makar and Gavin Brindley break scoring droughts, providing a much-needed boost for the Avalanche as they navigate a challenging stretch of the NHL season. The victory improves Colorado’s record to 33-8-9, solidifying their position in the Western Conference standings.
The game wasn’t without its challenges, as the Avalanche struggled to capitalize on multiple power-play opportunities against a formidable Chicago penalty kill. However, timely goals and solid goaltending from Mackenzie Blackwood proved sufficient to overcome the Blackhawks’ resistance. The win marks the second in three games for Colorado since the Olympic hiatus, signaling a potential return to the form that saw them achieve a remarkable 31-2-7 start to the season. The team’s recent performance, however, has been less consistent, with an 8-8-2 record in the 18 games following that initial surge.
Brindley and Makar Ignite Avalanche Offense
Gavin Brindley’s game-winning goal at 7:31 of the third period proved to be the turning point for the Avalanche. The goal, Brindley’s sixth of the season and first since December 11th, came off a rebound created by Sam Malinski’s shot. Acquired in an offseason trade with Columbus, Brindley has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his rookie campaign, but had been experiencing a scoring slump, with only two assists in his previous 25 contests. “Yeah, that was a huge one,” Brindley said after the game. “Cale had a big goal at the end of the second, just to obtain us going. I thought we did a great job tonight. We controlled the pace of the game. I thought we were really decent and probably deserved a couple more goals.”
Cale Makar as well played a pivotal role in the Avalanche’s victory, scoring twice, including an empty-net goal to seal the win. His first goal, scored with just 8.3 seconds remaining in the second period, provided a crucial momentum shift for Colorado. Makar’s goal came after a sustained offensive push and capitalized on a fatigued Blackhawks penalty-killing unit. Nathan MacKinnon assisted on both of Makar’s goals, demonstrating his continued offensive prowess. Makar, who earned all-tournament honors at the recent Winter Olympics in Milan, had been experiencing a relatively quiet stretch offensively, with no goals and only three points in his previous eight NHL games before Saturday’s performance.
Power Play Struggles Continue for Colorado
Despite the win, the Avalanche’s power-play woes continued. They went 0-for-4 with the man advantage against the Blackhawks, extending their recent struggles to 2-for-35 since January 12th. Colorado currently has the worst power-play percentage in the league, a significant concern for a team with championship aspirations. The team has also allowed four shorthanded goals during this period, further compounding their special teams issues. “We wish we could score every single power play,” Makar acknowledged. “I think that’s what the fans expect. But for us right now, we’ve just got to continue building it. I feel like there were times tonight that we did good things. We did get puck movement and generated some opportunities.”
The Blackhawks, conversely, boast the top-ranked penalty kill in the NHL, effectively neutralizing the Avalanche’s power-play attempts. This disparity in special teams performance proved to be a key factor in the game, preventing Colorado from extending their lead despite numerous opportunities. The Avalanche’s inability to convert on the power play underscores the need for adjustments and improvements in their offensive strategy with a man advantage.
Blackhawks Respond, But Avalanche Maintain Control
Chicago managed to get on the board first with a power-play goal from Connor Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL draft. Bedard’s 25th goal of the season came just 21 seconds after the Blackhawks gained the man advantage, capitalizing on a penalty assessed to Colorado’s Devon Toews. Tyler Bertuzzi assisted on the goal with a cross-ice pass. Despite the early setback, the Avalanche’s penalty kill, which was ranked second in the league prior to the Olympic break, largely contained the Blackhawks’ offense for the remainder of the game.
Mackenzie Blackwood, the Avalanche’s goaltender, delivered a solid performance, making 14 saves to secure the victory. Blackwood’s steady play in net provided a crucial foundation for the Avalanche’s success, particularly during periods of sustained Blackhawks pressure. He has been diligently working with teammates like Scott Wedgewood on “goalie school” shooting drills, as noted by Blackwood himself, which appears to be paying dividends. “This guy comes out every day and does the ‘goalie school’ shootings with me and (Scott Wedgewood). It’s an unforgiving job,” Blackwood said. “He’s got to get on the ice a little extra early, but it’s paying off for him. He’s getting his reps in, and he’s going to be a good player.”
Looking Ahead
The Avalanche will look to build on this win as they continue their push towards the playoffs. Their next scheduled game is against the Vegas Golden Knights on March 4th at T-Mobile Arena. This will be a crucial test for Colorado, as the Golden Knights are a key contender in the Western Conference. The team will need to address their power-play struggles and maintain their defensive solidity to secure a positive result. The NHL standings are available on the official NHL website: https://www.nhl.com/standings.
The Blackhawks, meanwhile, will aim to rebound from this defeat as they continue their rebuilding process. Connor Bedard’s continued development will be a key focus for the team, as he establishes himself as a cornerstone player for the future. The Blackhawks’ next game is against the Winnipeg Jets on March 3rd at the Canada Life Centre.
This victory for the Avalanche represents a step in the right direction, but they face a challenging schedule ahead. Their ability to address their special teams deficiencies and regain their early-season form will be critical to their success in the playoffs. The team’s performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike as the NHL season progresses.
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