Nathan MacKinnon scores twice in the Avalanche's 3-1 victory over winless Sabres

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon scored twice, and celebrated his second goal with a stick twirl and fist pump, in the Colorado Avalanche’s 3-1 victory over the winless Buffalo Sabres on Monday.

Cale Makar had a goal and assist, Martin Necas set up both of MacKinnon's goals and the Avalanche improved to 3-0-1. Scott Wedgewood made 28 saves in his fourth start.

MacKinnon now has points in each of Colorado’s four games, and four goals in his past three. And he continued his domination of the nonconference Sabres by increasing his total to 13 goals and 31 points in 19 career games.

Tage Thompson scored for the Sabres, who have combined for just two goals this season. Buffalo is off to its second straight 0-3 start under coach Lindy Ruff. Alex Lyon finished with 34 saves.

MacKinnon opened the scoring 3:14 in by cutting across the middle and beating Lyon with a backhander.

Colorado went up 2-1 when Valeri Nichushkin intercepted Rasmus Dahlin’s pass in Buffalo’s own zone to set up Makar 4:32 into the second period. And MacKinnon scored 8 1/2 minutes later by working his way to the middle from the left circle and snapping a shot that beat Lyon just inside the left post.

The Sabres successfully challenged Necas' goal 7:26 into the third period, with replays showing Necas being offside.

Ruff said top-line center Josh Norris is expected to miss eight weeks with an oblique injury. The Sabres, also missing starting goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) are so banged up that even general manager Kevyn Adams wore a brace on his lower right arm because of a torn tendon.

Avalanche: Wrap up two-game road swing at Columbus on Thursday night.

Sabres: Continue three-game homestand against Ottawa on Wednesday night.

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Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) right, celebrates his goal with right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Scott Wedgewood (41) covers the puck in front of Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (34) watches the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

FRIBOURG, Switzerland (AP) — Canada beat Slovenia 3-1 to make it five wins from five games at the ice hockey world championship on Friday.

Emmitt Finnie led with a goal and an assist and Denton Mateychuk and Dylan Cozens also scored. Jet Greaves stopped 13 shots as Canada outshot Slovenia 32-14.

Mateychuk, playing in his first worlds, skated to the top of the left circle before shooting past Slovenia goaltender Zan Us at 11:07 in the opening period.

Cozens added the second from the slot with 6:46 remaining in the middle period for his third goal in Switzerland. Sidney Crosby bagged his sixth assist at the tournament.

Finnie made it 3-0 by deflecting in a shot by Morgan Rielly from the blue line in the final period.

Rozle Bohinc scored a consolation goal for Slovenia with 1:05 left.

Canada tops Group B in Fribourg with Slovakia trailing by three points. The teams meet on Sunday.

Canada has won four games in regulation and one in overtime.

In a Group A in Zurich, Germany downed Hungary 6-2 for its first victory at the worlds after four defeats. Leon Gawanke sparked the Germans with a hat trick.

Later Friday, Finland played Britain in Zurich and Sweden faced Italy in Fribourg.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Canada's Sidney Crosby, left, vies for the puck against Slovenia's Miha Bericic, right, during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

Canada's Emmitt Finnie, left, clashes against Slovenia's goaltender Zan Us, right, during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

Canada's Dylan Cozens, second right, celebrates his goal with his teammates Canada's Canada's Macklin Celebrini, left, Sidney Crosby, left, and Canada's Denton Mateychuk, right, centre, after scoring during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

Slovenia's goaltender Zan Us, left, concedes his second goal past Slovenia's Blaz Gregorc, right, and Canada's Sidney Crosby, center, during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

Canada's Emmitt Finnie, right, clashes against Slovenia's goaltender Zan Us during a preliminary round game between Canada and Slovenia at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday May 22, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)