Nichushkin, MacKinnon help Avalanche increase NHL-best record in 3-2 win over Philadelphia Flyers

PHILADELPHIA AP Valeri Nichushkin scored the eventual game-winner early in the second period Nathan MacKinnon had an assist to add to his NHL-leading points total and the Colorado Avalanche hung on for a - win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday Brent Burns and Brock Nelson also scored for Colorado which improved to - - with a league-leading points The Avalanche were playing their third competition in four days while Philadelphia had the last three days off Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny had the goals for Philadelphia which lost for just the third time in the last nine games The Flyers were playing the third contest of a season-long six-game homestand Burns netted the first of three straight Avalanche goals on a wrist shot midway through the first period Nelson put Colorado ahead - with seconds remaining in the period when he scored on a power play on a scrum in front MacKinnon originally was credited with the goal before being awarded the primary assist He now has points Nichushkin finished a -on- by beating Samuel Ersson on the blocker side on a wrist shot from the circle to make it - with to play in the second Ersson made saves Konecny pulled Philadelphia within a goal four minutes later when he scored from close range Philadelphia had a chance to tie it in the third period but Trevor Zegras missed a penalty shot into the period when he shot into Mackenzie Blackwood s pads The Flyers pressured the Avalanche who were coming off Saturday s - overtime win at the Rangers in the third period but couldn t connect Couturier playing in his th career competition put Philadelphia up - two minutes into the contest when he deflected Noah Juulsen s slap shot past Blackwood Blackwood had saves Up next Avalanche At Nashville on Tuesday to end four-game road trip Flyers Host San Jose on Tuesday night AP NHL https www apnews com hub NHL Source