Cale Makar scored two goals as the Colorado Avalanche beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1, extending their NHL-best point streak.

Cale Makar scored two goals, including the go-ahead and empty-netter, as the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 in Denver. Makar’s second-period equalizer came on a saucer pass from Nathan MacKinnon, and Gavin Brindley scored on a rebound to give Colorado the lead in the third. Mackenzie Blackwood made 14 saves, and the Avalanche improved to 87 points, the best in the league. Connor Bedard scored for Chicago on a power play, and Spencer Knight stopped 32 shots, but the Blackhawks have lost eight of their last nine games and are averaging just 1.5 goals in that span.