Avalanche 7, Canucks 3
Jarome Iginla collected two goals and an assist to join Matt Duchene and defenseman Tyson Barrie with three-point performances as host Colorado snapped a four-game winless skid.
Duchene had a goal and two assists and Barrie set up three tallies for the Avalanche, who more than doubled their previous season high in goals. Jamie McGinn, Daniel Briere and captain Gabriel Landeskog also scored and Erik Johnson netted a 5-on-3 power-play goal in the win.
Daniel Sedin recorded a goal and an assist and brother Henrik scored 10 seconds into the contest for the Canucks, who have dropped three of their last four games. Alex Burrows also tallied, but Semyon Varlamov (26 saves) held the fort in his return from a three-game absence due to a groin injury.
After McGinn forged a 2-2 tie at 6:06 of the second, Johnson's wrist shot from above the circles beat Eddie Lack (41 saves) for his first goal of the season at 8:48. Briere doubled the advantage just 2:05 into the third by tapping home a loose puck on the doorstep before Duchene scored on a breakaway 3:50 later.
Vancouver greeted Varlamov rudely as Radim Vrbata forced a turnover behind the net and captain Henrik Sedin converted a centering feed from his brother for his third goal of the season. Iginla answered at 14:28 with a backhand shot from the slot before Burrows scored on a deflection just under three minutes later to give the Canucks a 2-1 advantage.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Iginla scored his second goal and 562nd of his career with 44 seconds remaining in the third to move past Mike Modano for 23rd on the NHL's all-time list. ... Duchene's tally gave the Avalanche their first three-goal lead of the season. ... Colorado D Zach Redmond notched an assist while making his season debut.