Avalanche rally late, upend Blackhawks in shootout

Field Level Media|published: Thu 3rd April, 01:07 2025

NHL: Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks

Apr 2, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Frank Nazar (91) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) battle for control of the puck during the first period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

Artturi Lehkonen scored the decisive goal in a shootout and Cale Makar had a goal and assist in regulation as the visiting Colorado Avalanche rallied for a 3-2 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.

Colorado forced overtime with 10.8 seconds left in regulation, as Martin Necas deflected in Cale Makar's shot from inside the right point with play at six-on-five.

Scott Wedgewood made 22 saves for the Avalanche, who trailed 2-0 before Makar scored near the midpoint of the third period.

Colorado (46-26-4, 96 points) remained in No. 3 position in the Central Division, six points behind the second-place Dallas Stars and seven points clear of both the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues.

The Avalanche have six games remaining.

Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon scored to cap the second round of the shootout, but Teuvo Teravainen answered for Chicago. Lehkonen ended the game moments later by beating Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight.

Connor Murphy had a goal and assist for the Blackhawks, and Ilya Mikheyev also tallied. Knight stopped 29 shots.

The Blackhawks (21-44-10, 52 points), who have fewer points than all but one club in the NHL, split four games against the Avalanche this season.

Mikheyev scored a short-handed goal at 14:39 of the first period, keeping the puck on a two-on-one opportunity with Frank Nazar and beating Wedgewood.

Murphy registered his second goal this season and first since Dec. 15 at 8:17 of the second, burying a slap shot from just outside the right circle off a backhand pass from Connor Bedard.

Makar drew Colorado within 2-1 at 9:17 of the third period, finishing MacKinnon's feed from behind the net with a wrist shot from the right circle.

The Avalanche finished 0-for-4 on the power play due in part to multiple strong saves from Knight, including big stops on MacKinnon and Lehkonen on a second-period penalty kill.

Chicago was unable to secure an insurance goal on separate power plays over the final 7:19 of the game.

Avalanche forward Jonathan Drouin sustained a lower-body injury after being hit along the boards in the first period, and he didn't return.

Makar established a career high with his 29th goal.

--Field Level Media

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