Avalanche Beat Blackhawks 5-2 as Kadri and Schwartz Score Twice Each

The Colorado Avalanche beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 on Monday night at the United Center in Chicago. Chicago led 2-0 in the first period, Colorado tied the game with two goals in 26 seconds, and Nazem Kadri and Jaden Schwartz each scored twice for the Avalanche.

Kadri scored two goals, including the only power play goal of the game. Schwartz also scored twice. Colorado won the second period 2-0 and the third period 1-0 after a first period that ended 2-2, and the Avalanche outshot Chicago 29-23.

Chicago starts fast, Colorado answers in 26 seconds

Wyatt Kaiser and Roman Kantserov scored for Chicago to build the 2-0 lead in the first period. Colorado had an earlier goal taken off the board on a coach challenge for goaltender interference, then scored twice in 26 seconds to tie the game 2-2 before the first intermission.

Connor Bedard assisted on the goal by Kantserov, extending his personal point streak to six games. The goal by Kantserov extended his own point streak to five games.

That quick answer changed the game. Chicago had the start it wanted at home and lost the lead before the period ended. From there Colorado controlled the scoring, and Chicago did not score again.

Kadri and Schwartz take over the middle

The second period belonged to Colorado. The Avalanche scored twice in the period and did not allow a Chicago goal. The second of those goals came with 10 seconds left in the period and sent Colorado into the third period ahead 4-2.

Kadri and Schwartz supplied the finishing across the night. Between them they scored four of the five Colorado goals. Kadri added the power play goal, the only one of the game, on a night when most of the scoring came at even strength and in short bursts.

Chicago could not find a reply in the third period. Colorado closed the scoring with an empty net goal with 2 minutes and 22 seconds left in the third period, making the final margin three goals.

What the numbers say

Colorado finished with 29 shots against 23 for Chicago. The period split tells the same story as the final score: a 2-2 first period, then 2-0 and 1-0 periods for Colorado.

For Chicago, the loss came after a first period that held both promise and warning. Kaiser and Kantserov gave the Blackhawks a two goal lead, Bedard and Kantserov extended their point streaks, and the home crowd saw the lead disappear in less than half a minute. For Colorado, the win rested on a fast response, two goals each from Kadri and Schwartz, and no goals allowed over the final two periods.