Duchene and Iginla have 3 points each as Avalanche beat Sabres 5-3

Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene, center, celebrates his goal with defenseman Jan Hejda, left, of the Czech Republic, and right wing Jarome Iginla in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (The Associated Press)

Colorado Avalanche center Marc-Andre Cliche, front, is congratulated after scoring a goal against the Buffalo Sabres in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 28, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (The Associated Press)

DENVER – Matt Duchene had a goal and two assists, Jarome Iginla had three assists and the Colorado Avalanche kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 5-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.

John Mitchell scored for the second straight game, and Marc-Andre Cliche, Tyson Barrie and Brad Stuart also had goals as the Avalanche won their second in a row.

Colorado has gone 12-6-1 since losing four straight in early February, but the surge might not be enough. The Avalanche trail Winnipeg by eight points for the last wild-card slot with seven games remaining.

The Avalanche have won nine straight against Buffalo.

Andrej Meszaros had two goals and fellow defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen had a goal and an assist for the Sabres.