NHL

Skille and Mitchell score early, Varlamov has season-high 42 saves as Avalanche beat Blues 3-1

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Colorado Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov (1), of Russia, celebrates his team's 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues in an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce) (The Associated Press)

St. Louis Blues' Jay Bouwmeester (19) reaches for the puck with Colorado Avalanche's Blake Comeau (14) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce) (The Associated Press)

St. Louis Blues' Alexander Steen (20) collides with Colorado Avalanche's Blake Comeau (14) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce) (The Associated Press)

Jack Skille and John Mitchell scored in the first period and Semyon Varlamov made a season-high 42 saves to lead the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday.

Carl Soderberg added an empty-net goal with 22 seconds remaining to seal Colorado's fifth win in seven games.

Varlamov stopped the first 36 shots until Vladimir Tarasenko spoiled his shutout bid with a power-play goal with 7:05 remaining. It was Tarasenko's team-high 18th of the season.

Jake Allen, starting for the second straight day, had 15 saves for the Blues, who fell to 2-4-1 in December.