Ottawa falters in return from virus outbreak

Alex Newhook scored the go-ahead goal with 1:33 left, sending the Colorado Avalanche past the Ottawa Senators 7-5 on Monday night in Denver for their fifth straight win.

Zach Sanford got his first career hat trick for Ottawa but it wasn’t enough as the team played its first game in a week.

The Senators had not played since Nov. 14 and they were unable to practice for five days due to a coronavirus outbreak. They got back on the ice Saturday after eight players and associate coach Jack Capuano were taken off the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list.

Artem Zub and Josh Norris also scored and Brady Tkachuk had two assists for Ottawa, which was outshot 40-21. Filip Gustavsson made 33 saves.

Defenseman Josh Brown, one of the players activated from the protocol list, was injured in the first period and didn’t return.

Nazem Kadri had a goal and three assists, Cale Makar had two goals for the second straight game and Mikko Rantanen, Devon Toews and Valeri Nichuskin also scored for Colorado.

The Senators showed little rust despite being idle. Ottawa led 5-4 on Sanford’s third goal of the night early in the third, but Rantanen tied it at 9:08 and Newhook’s second of the season put the Avalanche in front.

Blues 5, Golden Knights 2:

Justin Faulk scored his 100th career goal to cap a quick three-goal outburst in the first period that helped host St. Louis beat Vegas.

Ryan O’Reilly, Tyler Bozak, Brandon Saad and Niko Mikkola also scored for the Blues. Predators 3, Ducks 2: Yakov Trenin scored the tie-breaking goal at 12:10 of the third period and had an assist in Nashville’s victory over visiting Anaheim.

Mikael Granlund also scored for the Predators. Penguins 3, Jets 1: Danton Heinen scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period, Tristan Jarry allowed one goal after back-to-back shutouts, and Pittsburgh got a road win over Winnipeg.

Blue Jackets 7, Sabres 4: Jack Roslovic had two goals and an assist to lead Columbus past host Buffalo.

Injury report: Flyers center Kevin Hayes, who missed the team’s first 12 games while recovering from offseason abdominal surgery, reinjured himself last week and is weekto-week, the team announced on Twitter . ... Hurricanes defenseman Ethan Bear was placed in the NHL’s COVID protocol after testing positive for the coronavirus, the team said on Twitter . ... Chicago placed defenseman Riley Stillman on injured reserve because of a knee injury.