Avalanche 5, Islanders 0: Nathan MacKinnon scored his first two goals of the season and Semyon Varlamov posted his 14th career shutout to carry host Colorado past New York.

Cody McLeod and Marc-Andre Cliche also scored their first goals of the campaign while defenseman Erik Johnson matched McLeod with a tally and an assist as the Avalanche won for only the third time in 11 games. Varlamov turned aside 40 shots to pick up his second victory in seven starts while Matt Duchene and Max Talbot collected two assists apiece.

Chad Johnson (18 saves) suffered his first loss in four starts, giving up three second-period goals as the Islanders dropped the opener of their five-game road trip against Western Conference opponents.

Duchene set up McLeod in front 2 1/2 minutes into the game for the only goal of an opening period widely controlled by New York. Colorado turned the tables in the middle session, as MacKinnon finally ended his drought by holding on to the puck and patiently waiting before lifting a shot over a scrum in front of the net during a power play at 3:25.

Cliche extended the lead 5 1/2 minutes later, scoring from a sharp angle for a 3-0 advantage, and MacKinnon put it out of reach midway through the session by cutting in and backhanding a crossing pass past Chad Johnson. It marked the third time in as many games that the Islanders surrendered three goals in the second period.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Avalanche held New York scoreless on six power-play chances and have killed off 17 in a row over the last five games. ... Islanders RW Kyle Okposo, who played in his 400th career game, failed to hit the scoresheet for only the second time in 10 contests. ... McLeod recorded his first two points of the season while Cliche matched his goal total in 76 games last campaign.