Cale Makar scored to put Colorado ahead to stay late in the second period, Valeri Nichushkin had a goal and an assist, and the Avalanche beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 on Thursday night.

Andre Borkovsky and Gabriel Landeskog also scored for the Avalanche, who bounced back from an ugly 8-3 loss at Toronto a night earlier.

Goalie Jonas Johansson made 19 saves for Colorado.

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonas Johansson (31) is congratulated by Nazem Kadri (91), Cale Makar (8) and Logan O'Connor (25) after the Avalanche defeated the Montreal Canadiens in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Montreal. (Ryan RemiorzThe Canadian Press via AP)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonas Johansson (31) is congratulated by Nazem Kadri (91), Cale Makar (8) and Logan O'Connor (25) after the Avalanche defeated the Montreal Canadiens in an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Montreal. (Ryan RemiorzThe Canadian Press via AP)

Ben Charot scored for Montreal, and Jake Allen stopped 30 of 33 shots.

Colorado opened the scoring with a short-handed goal in the second period. Loan O’Connor passed to a wide-open Nichushkin in front of the net.

Chiarot leveled the score for Montreal with his fifth goal of the season. His slap shot from the point deflected off an Avalanche player and ringed off the post before beating Johansson.

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonas Johansson (31) stops Montreal Canadiens center Christian Dvorak (28) during second-period NHL hockey game action Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Montreal. (Ryan RemiorzThe Canadian Press via AP)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonas Johansson (31) stops Montreal Canadiens center Christian Dvorak (28) during second-period NHL hockey game action Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Montreal. (Ryan RemiorzThe Canadian Press via AP)

The Avs regained the lead late in the second when Makar deflected Samuel Girard’s shot from the blue line for his 10th goal of the season.

Burakovsky gave Colorado a 3-1 advantage in the third period by tapping in a loose puck in front of the net.

A fan, seemingly frustrated by the Canadiens’ recent poor play, threw a Habs jersey on the ice during the third period.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard (58) battles for the puck with Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) in front of Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen (34) during first-period NHL hockey game action Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Montreal. (Ryan RemiorzThe Canadian Press via AP)

Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard (58) battles for the puck with Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) in front of Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen (34) during first-period NHL hockey game action Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Montreal. (Ryan RemiorzThe Canadian Press via AP)

Landeskog added an empty-netter with 2:49 left.

UP NEXT

Avalanche: At Ottawa on Saturday.

Canadiens: At Nashville on Saturday.

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonas Johansson (31) stops Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) during first-period NHL hockey game action Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Montreal. (Ryan RemiorzThe Canadian Press via AP)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Jonas Johansson (31) stops Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) during first-period NHL hockey game action Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in Montreal. (Ryan RemiorzThe Canadian Press via AP)