DENVER — Colin Wilson scored two goals, Semyon Varlamov had 35 saves and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2 on Saturday night.
Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist as Colorado won two home games to start the season. Gabriel Landeskog and J.T. Compher also scored for the Avalanche.
A game after he faced just 21 shots, Varlamov was tested by Philadelphia. He made 12 saves in the third period, including big stops when Colorado was clinging to a one-goal lead. He had five saves on the Flyers' power play 3:20 into the last period to preserve the one-goal lead.
Wilson iced it with his second goal of the game at 16:31, and MacKinnon scored into an empty net at 18:45.
Sean Couturier and Mikhail Vorobyov had goals, and Brian Elliott stopped 30 shots for the Flyers.
The teams traded goals early, with Wilson scoring 1:35 into the game and Couturier tying it six minutes later.
Colorado went back on top after a Philadelphia turnover led to Compher's goal. The Avalanche returned the
Landeskog broke the tie with a goal on a deflection at 7:18 of the second. He was tangled with
The Flyers challenged for goaltender interference, but the goal stood upon review.
NOTES: Avalanche D Erik Johnson and LW Alexander Kerfoot had two assists each. ... The Flyers sent G Anthony Stolarz on loan to the Las Vegas Phantoms and activated G Calvin Pickard. Pickard cleared waivers earlier in the week. ... Colorado D Patrik Nemeth (upper body) was a late scratch and Barberio took his spot in the lineup. Barberio was a healthy scratch in the season opener. ... Couturier played in his 500th NHL game, all with Philadelphia.
UP NEXT:
Philadelphia: Plays its home opener against San Jose on Tuesday night.
Colorado: Travels to Columbus on Tuesday night.
Michael Kelly, The Associated Press