Devon Toews scores twice, Avalanche rally to beat Panthers 3-1

DENVER (AP) — Devon Toews scored twice, including the go-ahead goal with 11:06 remaining, and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Florida Panthers 3-1 on Monday night.

Mikko Rantanen added a late empty-net goal to help the Avalanche wrap up a four-game homestand at 3-0-1. Rantanen's score allowed him to extend his points streak to 14 games.

Mackenzie Blackwood finished with 26 saves as he continues to shine in net since being acquired in a deal with San Jose last month. He’s now 7-1-1 with Colorado.

Carter Verhaeghe staked the Panthers to a 1-0 lead in the first period. The Panthers have proven tough to beat when scoring first on the road since 2023-24. They had an .818 winning percentage entering the night, according to NHL Stats.

Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 31 shots.

Toews tied the game at 1-apiece with 1:42 left in the second period when his shot hit the crossbar and bounced off Bobrovsky's back into the net.

It was the Bobrovsky Show in the first period as he turned back back 11 shots, including a mini-breakaway from Nathan MacKinnon.

On the offensive end, Verhaeghe executed a give-and-go with Anton Lundell for his 10th goal of the season.

Panthers: It was a milestone night for defenseman Nate Schmidt, who played in his 700th NHL game.

Avalanche: Toews had two goals and an assist to give the Avalanche defensemen a league-leading 110 points (23 goals, 87 assists) this season.

Matthew Tkachuk's chance at a tying goal with under 6:30 remaining was turned away by Blackwood's left pad.

Florida and Colorado each struggled on the power play. The teams were a combined 0 for 7.

Avalanche visit Chicago on Wednesday, and the Panthers play at Utah.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (7) is congratulated as he passes the team box after scoring in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard, front, collects the puck as Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (39) and Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (15) watch in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood pulls on his gloves in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Florida Panthers defenseman Adam Boqvist, right, fights for control of the puck with Colorado Avalanche right wing Logan O'Connor, left, in the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk waits for a face off in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, centertop, explains a play during a timeout in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell, right, shoots against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, center, as Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews, left, covers in the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky deflects a shot in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) collides with Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) while pursuing the puck in the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, left, makes a stick-save against a shot by Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche center Juuso Parssinen, center, battles for position in front of the net between Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, left, and left wing Tomas Nosek, top right, in the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews, left, fights for control of the puck with Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart, right, in the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Morez Johnson Jr. scored a career-high 29 points, including 17 in the first half, and No. 2 Michigan beat No. 24 Southern California 96-66 on Friday night.

Roddy Gayle Jr. added 12 points for the Wolverines (13-0, 3-0 Big Ten), and Will Tschetter, Trey McKenney and L.J. Cason each scored 10.

Michigan is off to its best start since it won 17 straight games to start the 2018-19 season.

Jaden Brownell scored 16 points and Erza Ausar added 15 for the Trojans (12-2, 1-2), whose only previous loss was by eight points against Washington on Dec. 6. Chad Baker-Mazara, who came into the game averaging 21 points, was hampered by early foul trouble and finished with 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting.

Michigan starting guard Nimari Burnett was helped from the court with 16:25 left after falling during a battle under the basket. He went down to the floor and appeared to be bleeding above his eyebrow and holding his ankle. He sat on the bench the rest of the night.

The Wolverines bolted out to an 11-0 lead thanks to a defense that forced six early turnovers. USC got within five points twice in the first half and Michigan responded with a 32-19 run to build a 49-31 halftime advantage.

USC got no closer the rest of the way.

USC: At No. 9 Michigan State on Monday.

Michigan: Visits Penn State on Tuesday.

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Michigan center Aday Mara, front, drives against Southern California center Gabe Dynes, back, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)