Nichushkin scores twice, Avalanche beat Sabres 5-1 as Erik Johnson makes return to Colorado

Valeri Nichushkin scored twice, Nathan MacKinnon reached 800 career points with two assists and the Colorado Avalanche rode a fast start to a 5-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night. Nichushkin, Mikko Rantanen and Miles Wood paved the way with first-period goals, while defenseman Sam Malinski scored his first NHL goal in the third period. Ivan Prosvetov was stellar in his start over a scuffling Alexandar Georgiev and made 29 saves.