It was Blackwood's first shutout in his fourth start of the season and his 15th in the NHL.

The Avalanche (15-1-5) have points in 12 straight games (10-0-2) and the fewest regulation losses through 21 games in team history.

Juuse Saros made 23 saves for the Predators (6-11-4), who were shut out for the second consecutive game and have lost seven of eight (1-5-2).

The Predators were playing for the first time in six days since the 2025 NHL Global Series Sweden presented by Fastenal at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.

Brent Burns gave the Avalanche a 1-0 lead 15 seconds into the game on a wrist shot from the top of the right circle.

Nathan MacKinnon scored an empty-net goal to make it 2-0 at 18:25 of the third period on a pass from Brock Nelson. Jack Drury added another empty-net goal at 19:10 of the third period.

Colorado's penalty kill was 3-for-3.

Predators defenseman Roman Josi returned to the lineup after missing 12 games because of an upper-body injury.