National Hockey League
Colorado 3, Boston 2
When: 7:00 PM ET, Thursday, November 12, 2015
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Referees: Chris Rooney, Graham Skilliter
Linesmen: Steve Miller, Derek Nansen
Attendance: 17565

BOSTON -- Matt Duchene's offense returned much sooner than even he expected.

After totaling one goal and two points over 10 games last month, the Colorado Avalanche center has erupted for six goals and nine points through six games in November.

"I didn't think it would be like this, but I'll take it for sure," Duchene said after his go-ahead wrister midway through the third period helped the Avalanche erase a two-goal deficit and earn a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Thursday night at TD Garden. "I think the puck's just bouncing a little bit. I'm just trying to put as many on net as I can. You know, early in the season for me it wasn't bouncing at all, and I knew if I just stuck with it, stay positive and didn't grip the stick too much, eventually they'd start (to) go in."

Duchene finished off a pass from center Mikhail Grigorenko at 6:39 of the final period after center Ben Street forced a costly turnover from Bruins defenseman Kevin Miller.

Colorado (6-9-1) has now won eight consecutive games in Boston.

"It's not easy to be down 2-0, but I thought we played a really good game for 54 minutes," Colorado coach Patrick Roy said. "It was a solid team effort tonight."

Swedish center Carl Soderberg, playing his first game back in Boston since leaving the team in free agency last June, and defenseman Francois Beauchemin also scored goals for Colorado, which is now 2-6-1 in one-goal games this season.

Goalie Reto Berra, who started in place of Semyon Varlamov after the Avalanche's top netminder tweaked a groin injury during practice at nearby Boston University, made 25 saves.

Colorado defenseman Erik Johnson recorded his 200th NHL point on a second-period assist while veteran right winger Jerome Iginla, who also spent time with the Bruins, tallied an assist on Soderberg's goal to move him into 37th place on the NHL'a all-time points list.

Defenseman Zdeno Chara and center Ryan Spooner each netted a goal for the Bruins (7-7-1), who opened their season-long five-game homestand with a loss.

Boston goalie Tuukka Rask, who had 27 saves, has given up 27 goals in seven games at home this season.

Chara kicked off a busy opening period with his second goal of the year on a blue-line slap shot in front of the left point, putting the Bruins ahead 1-0 just over a minute in.

Roy challenged the call after Berra was consumed by the scrum in front of the net, but the goal was upheld.

Boston capitalized on an early hooking penalty as Spooner went top shelf to double the lead 5:51 into the first, giving the Bruins their eighth straight game with a power-play goal.

"The first six to 10 minutes, we seemed to be handling the momentum of the game in our favor," Bruins coach Claude Julien said, "but then once it got the other way instead of grinding it out -- some nights you have to do that -- give them credit."

Soderberg beat old teammate Rask for a high glove-side goal to make it 2-1 at 12:08 of the first, and Beauchemin evened the score at 2-2 on his goal with 28.2 seconds left in the period.

"We got down early. We weren't playing our best," Duchene said. "They were working us bad, and we were able to get a big one from Soderberg and then a big one from Beauch and climb back in, and from there we settled in."

Colorado left winger Gabriel Landeskog received a match penalty and was ejected with 14:14 remaining in a scoreless second period after a cross-ice hit to the head of Bruins left winger Brad Marchand, who stayed in the game.

"There was no intent to injure," Landeskog said, "and I'm happy he didn't get hurt."

NOTES: Bruins D Dennis Seidenberg (back) was a game-time decision after participating in morning skate and pregame warm-ups before making his season debut Thursday. "He always works hard to get back, to be in top shape and he's done that again this time," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. ... Colorado G Semyon Varlamov (groin) missed his third consecutive game. ... Avalanche D Brad Stuart (back) was flown back to Denver to be re-evaluated. Colorado recalled D Zach Redmond from AHL San Antonio. ... Avalanche coach Patrick Roy told ESPN.com before Thursday's game that he is in favor of bigger nets and smaller goalie equipment. "I think it will help the scoring," the Hall of Fame goaltender said. ... Boston signed LW Jake DeBrusk, RW Zach Senyshyn and D Jeremy Lauzon to entry-level contracts. ... Thursday was Military Appreciation Night at TD Garden. The Bruins wore camouflage jerseys during warm-ups.
Top Game Performances
 
Colorado   Boston
Matt Duchene 2 Points Zdeno Chara 1
Matt Duchene 1 Goals Zdeno Chara 1
Matt Duchene 1 Assists Matt Beleskey 1
N/A Power Play Goals Ryan Spooner 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Reto Berra .926 Save Percentage Tuukka Rask .900
Reto Berra 25 Saves Tuukka Rask 27
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Colorado 30 3 0-3 1-2 17 28
Boston 27 2 1-2 3-3 13 31
Upcoming Games
  • Boston will play their next game at home against Detroit. The Bruins have a W/L % of .571 after a win and .375 after a loss.
  • Colorado will play their next game on the road against Montreal. The Avalanche have a W/L % of .200 after a win and .455 after a loss.