Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin: One of each in wild win

Nichushkin scored a goal on two shots, dished an assist, went plus-4 and added two PIM in Monday's 7-5 win over the Senators.

Nichushkin opened the scoring just 50 seconds into the game, and that was an omen of things to come. The teams traded lead throughout the rest of the contest until Nichushkin helped out on Alex Newhook's game-winning goal with 1:33 left in the third period. Nichushkin has picked up three goals and two helpers in his last five games, putting him at six points, 10 shots on net, a plus-6 rating and seven hits through six outings overall. Expect the 26-year-old to continue playing on the second line while the Avalanche navigate injuries to a handful of forwards.