The Colorado Avalanche defeated Utah 1-0 behind Scott Wedgewood’s 32-save shutout performance. The victory extended Colorado’s home winning streak to 13 games and moved their overall record to 27-9-7.
Wedgewood earned his second shutout of the season and 10th of his career. The Avalanche remain unbeaten in regulation at home with a 15-0-2 record.
Colorado hasn’t lost on home ice since Carolina’s 5-4 shootout victory on Oct. 23.
Samuel Girard scored the game’s only goal at 7:57 of the second period. He stole the puck from Clayton Keller in the neutral zone and beat Vitek Vanecek with a backhander.
The Avalanche have won six straight games overall and eight of nine heading into the holiday break. Their 61 points through 36 games rank as the second-most in NHL history at that stage, trailing only the 1929-30 Boston Bruins who had 63 points.
Vanecek stopped 25 shots for Utah in the losing effort. The team’s regular starter Karel Vejmelka was a late scratch with an upper-body injury.
Utah signed Colten McIntyre to an amateur tryout agreement to serve as backup goaltender for the game.
Wedgewood made several key saves to preserve the shutout in the second period. He stopped Daniil But with his blocker, denied Dylan Guenther on a breakaway, then made a glove save on Keller that was reviewed and confirmed.
The performance came against Colorado’s high-powered offense that had averaged 4.6 goals over their previous five games.
Utah pulled Vanecek for an extra attacker with 2:03 remaining but couldn’t find the equalizer despite increased pressure in the third period.
What’s Next
Utah returns to action Monday night when they host Nashville after the holiday break.
Colorado travels to face Vegas on Saturday night to continue their road schedule.
