MacKinnon unleashed a one-timer from the right side at 4:14 of the third period for his second goal of the night and the 3-1 scoreline. The ensuing empty-net goal from Necas at 17:23 brought the game to its final 4-1 standing.

It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re nearly two weeks into the season, but teams are already looking ahead to next season. We’ve seen several key players who were pending unrestricted free agents already sign massive contracts.

He sees it like this: The team builds its identity and what it wants to be over the first part of the season, and then there are aspects that just break during the grind of 82 games — kind of like a well-used fishing vessel. How quickly the club fixes the issues and regains its optimal performance is a big part of a successful campaign.

Colorado Avalanche forward Joel Kiviranta will be sidelined indefinitely with a lower-body injury, the team announced on Saturday.

Scott Wedgewood stopped 13 of 14 shots as the Avs completely dismantled the Boston Bruins on Saturday night at Ball Arena to move to 5-0-1. Wedgewood, getting a chance to play regularly that he has so often craved, has allowed one goal in five of those six games.

Colorado finished a quick two-game road trip with a 4-1 win at Columbus on Thursday night and makes a brief stop at home to host the Bruins on Saturday night before hitting the road again. This is the first of two games between the teams in the span of seven days.

Columbus Blue Jackets coach Sean Evason and his players frustrated by effort in frustrating loss to Colorado Avalanche.

Another lopsided effort Saturday night translated to a 4-1 loss to the Avalanche at Ball Arena, extending the Black & Gold’s losing streak to three games. Superstar center Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals to pace the victory for league-leading Colorado, which improved to 5-0-1.

Nathan MacKinnon had two goals, Josh Manson also scored and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Boston Bruins 4-1 in Denver on Saturday night. Martin Necas added an empty-net goal, Artturi Lehkonen contributed two assists and Scott Wedgewood needed just 13 saves to secure the win for Colorado,