Avalanche strike early, Nichushkin and Nečas score

Valeri Nichushkin and Martin Nečas scored early to give the Colorado Avalanche a 2-0 lead over the St. Louis Blues late in the first period. Nichushkin opened the scoring on a Devon Toews wrister that he redirected, with assists to Toews and Sam Malinski. Nečas ripped home his 37th of the season on a feed from Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen with 29 seconds left in the period. Colorado dominated possession and shots, leading 17-3 after one, and will start the second on the penalty kill after a late Toews tripping penalty.