Scott Wedgewood turned away 32 shots to earn his second shutout of the season as the surging Colorado Avalanche beat the Utah Mammoth 1-0 on Tuesday night in Denver.
Samuel Girard scored an unassisted goal for Colorado, which has won 13 straight at home and has earned at least one point in all 17 home games (15-0-2) this season.
Wedgewood’s 16 wins this season are tied for the most in the NHL this season.
Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka was a late scratch with an upper-body injury. Vitek Vanecek filled in and made 25 saves while playing in his 11th game of the season.
The Avalanche improved to 27-2-7 and are tied for the second-most wins before the holiday break since 1972-73. They trail only the Lightning, who had 28 wins in 2018-19.
Colorado had the best scoring chance of the first period when Martin Necas went in alone on Vanecek in the final minute. Necas’ shot went over the goaltender’s left shoulder but hit the crossbar to keep it at 0-0 heading into the second period.
Girard ended the scoreless game when he stole a puck near the Utah blueline, skated in and beat Vanecek with a backhand at 7:57.
The Mammoth went on the power play soon after and had several chances, the best coming when Daniil But was open in front of the crease but Wedgewood’s pad save kept the Avalanche in the lead.
Utah winger Dylan Guenther was whistled for tripping later in the period and went on a breakaway as he came out of the box, but Wedgewood denied him.
The Mammoth had another chance at 15:15 of the second, but Wedgewood’s glove save stood after a review.
Utah pressed for the equalizer throughout the third period, outshooting the Avalanche 12-4. Vanecek came off for an extra skater with 2:03 left and But had a good look, but Wedgewood got a pad on his shot, which deflected off the crossbar.
Wedgewood made one last save on Keller with seconds remaining to preserve his 10th career shutout.
–Field Level Media
