If the Colorado Avalanche are going to turn around a slow start to the 2016-17 campaign, they’re going to need big performances from two of their biggest stars, Matt Duchene and Semyon Varlamov. They got just that on Tuesday night in Columbus.
Varlamov made 40 saves and Duchene scored the game-winner in overtime to deliver a 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets. Erik Johnson was the real star of the night, however. Johnson put Colorado ahead 2-1 with a goal in the second period and he fed Duchene for the OT winner.
Colorado nearly skated out of Columbus without needing extra time. Cam Atkinson scored his seventh goal of the year with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation to tie things up.
The win levels Colorado’s record at 9-9-0 on the year. The Avalanche return to Pepsi Center on Wednesday to kick off a five-game home stand beginning with Edmonton.
