Buffalo, New York – The Colorado Avalanche defeat the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 in a midday matchup on Columbus Day. Colorado advances to 3-0-1, Buffalo falls to 0-3-0.

The Avalanche came out of the gate buzzing, with Nathan Mackinnon scoring his third goal of the year, 3:14 into the opening frame. He was assisted by Martin Necas and Brent Burns. The second period saw a goal by Cale Makar, his first of the season, at 4:32, being assisted by Valeri Nichushkin. Mackinnon netted his second of the game at 11:59 in the second period, being assisted by Necas and Makar.

Buffalo’s lone goal of the game came in the first period to temporarily tie it at 1-1 by Tage Thompson. Thompson’s goal was assisted by Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin.

Scott Wedgewood got the nod once again in between the pipes for the Avs, stopping 28/29 shots and finishing with a .966% save percentage. He’s proved to be solid for the team through the first four games while the team awaits the return of Mackenzie Blackwood.

Alex Lyon made his third straight start in net for Buffalo, filling in for starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who’s nursing a lower-body injury. Lyon signed a 2 year, $3 million contract this offseason to join the team after tenures with the Detroit Red Wings and Florida Panthers. The latter of which he helped lead to a Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 202,3, backing up Sergei Bobrovsky. He stopped 34/37 shots, finishing with a .919% save percentage.

Colorado finished with 37 shots, 20 hits, and 4 penalties, totaling 8 penalty minutes. Buffalo finished with 29 shots, 11 hits, and 5 penalties, totaling 10 penalty minutes. Colorado beat Buffalo in the faceoff percentage category, 56.5% to 43.5%

Colorado heads to Nationwide Arena to face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday at 5 pm MT. Buffalo remains at home to face off against the rival Ottawa Senators Wednesday at 5 pm MT.