Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) celebrates after scoring against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40)during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP)
DENVER (AP) — Kirill Marchenko and Yegor Chinakhov scored in a three-goal second period for Columbus, and the Blue Jackets beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-4 on Saturday night.
Marchenko and Chinakhov both had two assists. Sean Monahan also had a goal and two assists.
Zach Werenski, Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli also scored for Columbus.
Nathan MacKinnon, Miles Wood, Casey Mittelstadt and Ross Colton had goals for the Avalanche, but Alexandar Georgiev gave up three goals on nine shots.
Justus Annunen replaced Georgiev after Fantilli’s goal 1:56 into the second period gave the Blue Jackets a 3-1 lead. Wood and Mittelstadt beat Daniil Tarasov just 1:31 apart to tie it before Marchenko’s go-ahead goal at 4:33.
Tarasov stopped 26 shots.
Colton scored when Annunen went off for an extra skater, but Monahan scored into an empty net to seal it.
Takeaways
Blue Jackets: New coach Dean Evason’s team has played well in its first two games, losing by a goal to Minnesota and now beating Colorado to begin the season. The Blue Jackets have seven goals in their first two games.
Avalanche: Two games into the season, there is a goaltender crisis. Georgiev has allowed eight goals on 25 shots. Annunen hasn’t been much better, and claiming Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers is a sign Colorado is concerned about the position.
Key moment
MacKinnon, the NHL MVP last season, was honored before the game with a highlight video, and then Denver Nuggets center and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic brought the Hart Trophy out while wearing MacKinnon’s No. 29 jersey.
Key stat
Avalanche winger Ivan Ivan got his first NHL point when he assisted on MacKinnon’s goal. MacKinnon scooped up the puck to give to the rookie.
Up next
The Blue Jackets play their home opener against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. The Avalanche host the New York Islanders on Monday night.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) moves the puck behind the Columbus Blue Jackets goal as Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (9) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP)
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov (59) scores against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Justus Annunen (60) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP)
Denver Nuggets center and NBA MVP, left, congratulates Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) after McKinnon was awarded his Hart Memorial Trophy for the NHL's MVP before the start of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP)
Colorado Avalanche left wing Miles Wood (28) battles Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (9) for the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP)
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) scores past Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) fights off Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) battles Columbus Blue Jackets left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Ball Arena in Denver. (Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP)
