Blue Jackets 4, Avalanche 3
Defenseman David Savard snapped a tie with 61 seconds remaining in the third period as visiting Columbus posted its 11th win in 14 games.
Savard unleashed a one-timer from the blue line that deflected off a defender and past Semyon Varlamov as the Blue Jackets evened their record at 1-1-0 on their four-game road trip. Brandon Dubinsky scored his first two goals of the season, Ryan Johansen also tallied and Curtis McElhinney made 26 saves for Columbus, which has won five of six away from home.
Jarome Iginla, captain Gabriel Landeskog and Cody McLeod scored for the Avalanche, which completed a 2-1-0 homestand. Varlamov turned aside 23 shots as Colorado fell to 6-3-2 in its last 11 contests.
Iginla gave Colorado a quick lead, intercepting a cross-ice pass at the top of the slot and beating McElhinney to the glove side 30 seconds into the contest. Dubinsky forged a tie at 11:35 and put Columbus ahead 1:37 into the second period with a shot from low in the left faceoff circle, but Landeskog drove to the net after blocking a clearing attempt at the left point and slid in a backhander at 5:25 to again knot it.
Johansen restored the lead for the Blue Jackets - and extended his goal-scoring streak to three games - 2:25 later by converting a cross-slot pass from the right circle by Scott Hartnell. The Avalanche answered with 4 1/2 minutes left in the session as McLeod grabbed the puck behind the net and wrapped it inside the right post.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Johansen has collected three goals and four assists during his seven-game point streak. ... The Avalanche had their five-game point streak against the Blue Jackets (3-0-2) come to an end. ... Neither team was able to convert on the power play as Columbus went 0-for-3 while Colorado failed on four opportunities.