Two things are true in the Avalanche’s 5-0 shutout over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.

The Avs played a masterful defensive game, holding the lowly Hawks to just 25 shots. And young goalie Justus Annunen gave his teammates confidence with yet another strong performance between the pipes.

Following a dominant victory over the Dallas Stars, where Colorado scored five consecutive goals after giving up the first one, the Avs scored five more against the Blackhawks without giving up a goal. Goalies Alexandar Georgiev and Annunen have combined for 119 consecutive minutes of perfect hockey and 58 saves. For Annunen, his first career NHL shutout came after two previous strong games, where he held his own in Tampa Bay before helping the Avalanche secure a point in a 2-1 OT loss in Detroit. Defeating the Blackhawks was his second victory of the season.

Zach Parise scored two goals while Ross Colton, Devon Toews and Nathan MacKinnon each had one for the Avs, who are 5-2-1 in their last seven games. Parise also added an assist, giving him three points and the game-winner. MacKinnon, who also had an assist, became the second player to reach 100 points in 2023-24, accomplishing the feat in just 61 games.

Colorado continued its pursuit in the Central Division race after gaining another two points in the standings. The victory over the Blackhawks puts the Avs two points back of Dallas with a game in hand and ties Winnipeg at 79 points, though the Jets have three games in hand. Dallas defeated Winnipeg 4-1 on Thursday.

Annunen has a .913 save percentage this season after struggling in his first two starts start this season. His play since the All-Star break — especially the last three — is likely giving general manager Chris MacFarland second thoughts on navigating the trade deadline and the acquisition of a goalie before March 8. Goaltending is a fickle position and about as unpredictable as they come. Annunen didn’t look like a viable backup option for the Avs a month ago. But now it seems like he might be able to hold things down when Georgiev is afforded a night off — something that’s happened far more since the All-Star break than it was before.

Annunen has started four of 12 games since the break and is 2-2-0.