Avalanche 2, Wild 1 (OT)
DENVER -- Center John Mitchell scored at 3:35 of overtime, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Minnesota Wild 2-1 on Monday night.
Goaltender Semyon Varlamov made 19 saves, and defenseman Tyson Barrie had a goal and an assist for Colorado, which beat the Wild for the first time in three tries this season.
Mitchell produced the winner after taking a pass from center Matt Duchene and skating to the right circle. His shot rattled off the goalpost to beat goaltender Darcy Kuemper for his sixth of the season.
Kuemper recorded 18 saves, and left winger Zach Parise had a goal for Minnesota, which had won three in a row.
The Wild have dominated the Avalanche since rallying to beat Colorado in a first-round playoff series in 2014. Minnesota is 6-1-1 against Colorado with four shutouts since the start of the 2014-15 season.
One of those shutouts came Saturday when Minnesota outshot the Avalanche 44-20. Kuemper made nine saves in relief of Devan Dubnyk, who sustained a groin strain when the game was still scoreless. He is expected to be back late this week.
Colorado limited the shots in the rematch and took a 1-0 lead early in the second period when Barrie put in a cross-ice pass from center Carl Soderberg at 4:13.
Barrie's goal was the first for the Avalanche in five periods against Minnesota and the first goal for the team against Kuemper in his four career games facing Colorado. It was also the first goal allowed by the Wild in the last 178:52 of play.
Minnesota struggled to create scoring chances but finally tied it when Parise banged in a rebound at 13:51 of the third period. It was his eighth of the season and first since Oct. 25.
The teams had great chances in the three-on-three overtime. Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter came in alone on Varlamov, but the goalie got his right arm on the shot to keep it tied.
NOTES: The Avalanche hosted several members of their 20th anniversary team Monday. Former stars Ray Bourque, Peter Forsberg, Stephane Yelle and Sandis Ozolinsh as well as former team president and general manager Pierre Lacroix attended the morning skate. Bourque said about a dozen former players went out to dinner together Sunday night. ... Wild G Devan Dubnyk was out with a groin strain suffered in Saturday's win over the Avalanche. Dubnyk made 11 saves Saturday before leaving the game. ... Avalanche D Brad Stuart continues to sit with a back injury. He has not played since Nov. 10. ... Minnesota rookie D Mike Reilly was the team's only healthy scratch. ... Wild G Niklas Backstrom suited up for the first time this season. He served as Kuemper's backup.