Wojtek Wolski picks up goal and assist, Budaj backstops Colorado to 3-2 win at Columbus

Wolski helps Avalanche beat Blue Jackets 3-2

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Wojtek Wolski had a goal and an assist and the Colorado Avalanche held on for a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night when a tying goal was disallowed in the final seconds.

Milan Hejduk and Chris Stewart also scored for Colorado. Peter Budaj, making his third consecutive start since starter Craig Anderson suffered a neck injury, had 29 saves and an assist.

Jason Chimera had a goal and an assist and Jakub Voracek also scored for the Blue Jackets, who have struggled on defense while losing eight of nine.

Chimera thought he tied it with 13.7 seconds left, jamming in the puck at the left post from a mad scrum with Colorado players Adam Foote, Hejduk and Kyle Quincey, who flopped to the ice trying to block the puck with Budaj out of position. The net appeared to come up — with the puck sliding in underneath — but not off the moorings.

After a replay review, the call on the ice was reversed and it was ruled the puck did not cross between the posts.

Steve Mason had 16 stops for Columbus, which entered tied for most goals allowed in the NHL.

After a scoreless first period, the Avalanche pushed across two goals in the second.

Paul Stastny eluded Jan Hejda behind the Columbus net with a pass to himself off the endboard then fed Wolski, left unmarked at the bottom of the right circle. Wolski snapped a quick shot by Mason at 6:46 for his 11th.

Columbus had a good power-play chance a few minutes later but Foote blocked Voracek’s shot at an open net.

Matt Duchene set up the second goal, backhanding a pass through traffic to Hejduk all alone at the back post for his team-leading 12th goal at 15:21.

Chimera picked up his sixth goal at 4:20 of the third but Colorado needed just 38 seconds to respond. Budaj and Wolski made a few long passes before Stewart scored his fourth from the left circle.

NOTES: The game marked the return of former Blue Jackets captain Foote to Columbus. Foote demanded a trade to his former team at the deadline two seasons ago with the Blue Jackets in contention for a playoff spot. He was heavily booed every time he stepped on the ice and touched the puck. … Colorado is 24-7-1-1 all-time against Columbus, but the Blue Jackets have won six of the last eight meetings. … The Avalanche played the third game of a five-game trip (1-1-1).