Jonathan Drouin and Jack Drury scored 52 seconds apart in a three-goal second period and the Colorado Avalanche beat weary Minnesota 5-2 on Friday night to pull even with the third-place Wild in the Central Division.

Colton scored his second goal of the game and 15th of the season with an empty-net tally at 19:52 of the third period to give the Avs a 5-2 lead. With the secondary assist on the goal, Blackwood picked up his first point with the Avalanche.

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood earned his second-straight victory on Friday evening over the Minnesota Wild. Blackwood stopped 18 of the 20 shots he saw in this contest. The Avalanche dominated the shot total but Blackwood performed well when called on.

The Avalanche have gotten off to a 2-0-0 start in their six-game homestand and it continues against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. Latest Result (PIT): TOR 6, PIT 5 (OT)

Earlier in the year and prior we’ve been great in limiting their chances, the opposite team good chances, and now it feels like we just open it up and just give them ice and time and stuff

Buoyed by a dominant second period, the Avs defeated the Minnesota Wild, 5-2, on Friday night at Ball Arena. Ross Colton had two goals and a three-point night, while Oliver Kylington added two assists as the Avs got multiple goals from depth scorers for a second straight contest.

The Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche faced each other for the third time on Friday evening, Feb. 28. The Wild’s roster changed slightly from the night prior when they dropped a 6-1 loss to the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday,

Mackenzie Blackwood made 18 saves ... Oliver Kylington passed it from his own end and behind the Wild defense to Drouin near the Minnesota blue line. Drouin skated in alone on Gustavsson and ...