Avalanche Extend Streak Behind Necas’ Four-Point Night.

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

DENVER — Nathan MacKinnon scored his NHL-leading 18th goal, and Mackenzie Blackwood stopped all 26 shots he faced as the Colorado Avalanche defeated the San Jose Sharks 6-0 on Wednesday night, marking their 10th consecutive win. Colorado’s winning streak is the longest in the NHL this season and ties for the second-longest in franchise history. The Avalanche have also extended their point streak to 14 games, achieving a 12-0-2 record during that span. In addition to MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen, Ross Colton, Sam Malinski, Josh Manson, and Joel Kiviranta all scored for Colorado. The Avalanche surged with three goals in just 76 seconds during the second period, increasing their lead to 5-0. Colorado recorded its third consecutive shutout, the first time the team has accomplished this feat since the 2001–02 season. The team has now gone 189 minutes and 17 seconds without allowing a goal. This game marked Blackwood’s second shutout in as many starts after giving up 10 goals in his previous three appearances.

Nine players on the Avalanche contributed assists, including MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas. Makar recorded his 21st assist of the season, the second-most in the NHL.

The Sharks, who had defeated Colorado 3-2 in overtime on Nov. 1, struggled offensively. Goaltender Yaroslav Askarov was pulled in the second period after allowing four goals on 19 shots, and his replacement, Alex Nedeljkovic, conceded a goal on his first attempt just nine seconds later. Macklin Celebrini’s five-game point streak ended with the shutout loss.

Up Next:

• Avalanche: at Minnesota, Friday

• Sharks: vs. Vancouver, Friday