While news of a possible Peter Forsberg return to the NHL made its way around the wires on Saturday, the Colorado Avalanche still had a game to play in the afternoon. Unfortunately, the Boston Bruins were firing on all cylinders in defeating the Avs, 6-2.
Colorado's Paul Stastny started the scoring two minutes into the first period, but Boston's Brad Marchand and Milan Lucic each answered with a goal. The latter's came on the power play following a Ryan O'Byrne delay-of-game penalty. Mark Recchi added a third goal at 14:44 in the second period. Lucic followed at 19:04 with his second goal and 19th of the season. The Bruins led 4-1.
Kevin Shattenkirk started the third period with his sixth goal of the season at 1:41, but that was all the offense the Avs had in the game. Patrice Bergeron countered with his 16th goal of the season around the halfway mark. Brad Marchand added a second goal, this one a shorthanded empty net goal at 18:25, but only because John-Michael Liles accidentally put the puck in his own net.
Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson allowed four goals on 28 shots in two periods. Peter Budaj replaced him in the third and allowed one goal in 11 shots.
The Avalanche (24-18-6, 54 points) have dropped two games since their two-game win streak. They will host the St. Louis Blues on Monday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. MT.