Colorado Avalanche center Ryan O'Reilly (90) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver, Friday, March 8, 2013. Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog, right, of Sweden, heads back to the ice. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Ryan O'Reilly (90) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver, Friday, March 8, 2013. Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog, right, of Sweden, heads back to the ice. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford, right, reacts after letting in a goal by Colorado Avalanche center Ryan O'Reilly (not shown) as Avalanche center Paul Stastny, left, checks the net in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver, Friday, March 8, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
As members of the Colorado Avalanche, back, celebrate a goal by Ryan O'Reilly, Chicago Blackhawks right wing Michael Frolik (67), of the Czech Republic, skates back to the bench in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver, Friday, March 8, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov, of Russia, drops on the ice to cover the puck after stopping a shot from the Chicago Blackhawks in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Denver, Friday, March 8, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Viktor Stalberg, right, of Sweden, clears the puck from along the boards as Colorado Avalanche right wing David Jones covers in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Denver, Friday, March 8, 2013. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER (AP) ? The best start in NHL history is over. The Chicago Blawkhawks finally left the ice without a point.
The Blackhawks were stunned 6-2 by the struggling Colorado Avalanche on Friday night. It was their first loss in regulation and ended a remarkable run in which they earned at least one point in their first 24 games, an NHL record.
Matt Duchene scored four points and Ryan O'Reilly got his first goal since his contract dispute was resolved more than a week ago. O'Reilly assisted on another goal in a four-goal onslaught in the second period that turned a 1-1 tie into a laugher.
The Blackhawks (21-1-3) hadn't lost in regulation since a 6-1 rout by Nashville on March 25, 2012, and their last loss in regulation on the road came more than a year ago, with a 5-1 defeat at St. Louis on March 6, 2012.
Dating back to last year's regular season, the streak was 30 games.
Chicago's overall points streak was the second longest in NHL history. The 1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers set the league record with a staggering 35-game unbeaten streak that included 25 wins and 10 ties ? all in the same season.
Duchene, John Mitchell and Jamie McGinn also put pucks past Corey Crawford in the second period for the Avalanche, who had lost six of their previous seven, including a 3-2 heartbreaker at Chicago 48 hours earlier.
Crawford (11-1-3) allowed five goals on 19 shots before being replaced in net by Ray Emery to start the third period.
Semyon Varlamov had 30 saves for Colorado.
Associated Press
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