DENVER — It’s been a literal Avalanche of goals for the defending Stanley Cup champions over the last couple of games.

Colorado continued its offensive surge on Monday, scoring the first two goals on its way to a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Ball Arena. The matinee affair was the Avs’ second consecutive high-scoring victory, scoring 13 goals in the process. They had 12 goals in their previous five games (1-4-0).

Colorado scored the first five goals.

“I feel like we weren’t playing great before but it seemed like everything that could go wrong was,” superstar center Nathan MacKinnon said. “We’ve turned it around the last couple of games. Two big wins.”

MacKinnon and Cale Makar led the way with two goals — finishing with four and three points, respectively. J.T. Compher (goal, assist,), Evan Rodrigues (two assists) and Devon Toews (two assists) also produced multiple points for the Avalanche, who won consecutive games in regulation for the first time since Nov. 10 and 12.

“If you’re playing your game for 60 minutes the way you’re supposed to then the wins will come in regulation,” head coach Jared Bednar said.

Goaltender Pavel Francouz was able to string together consecutive wins as well. Francouz has started the last three games since returning from an injury absence. Alexandar Georgiev had started the previous 12.

“He was fantastic, especially early,” Bednar said of Francouz. “We gave up some really good chances to start the game. First couple shifts we gave up two or three chances and he made big saves to keep us even.”

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Both teams exchanged opportunities early in what was an entertaining high-event offensive battle from the opening draw. After a number of good saves from Francouz, forward Artturi Lehkonen got the Avs on the board, scoring his third goal in two games. MacKinnon was causing havoc in front, colliding with goaltender Ville Husso above the blue paint. Detroit challenged for goalie interference but was unsuccessful. Colorado failed to score on the ensuing power play but added a tally on the man advantage before the break from Makar.

The scoring surge continued in the second period as Makar added his second before Compher scored on the power play and MacKinnon added a third goal before the intermission. It was the fifth straight period of at least two goals for the Avs following a disappointing 3-2 loss to Chicago on Thursday.

“We have enough talent top to bottom to put the puck in the net and win games,” Evan Rodrigues said.

Valeri Nichushkin returned after missing nine games. It was his second long injury absence this season. His return gave Bednar the ability to even out the top six both at five-on-five and on the power play. Colorado was 2-for-4 on the man advantage with both units scoring.

“There’s only one Val in the league,” MacKinnon said of Nichushkin. “Getting our best player in the finals back in our lineup is big for our team.”

Following the victory, the Avalanche pulled within four points of both Edmonton and Calgary, who currently hold the wildcard positions in the Western Conference. Colorado has three and two games in hand, respectively on both clubs. It also trails the Minnesota Wild by five points for third in the Central Division.

The Avs’ next game is at Calgary on Wednesday.