Avalanche 5, Blue Jackets 3: Ryan O’Reilly and top overall pick Nathan MacKinnon each recorded a goal and an assist as host Colorado won for the first time in five games.

The Avalanche entered the contest with just seven power-play goals on 48 home opportunities before O’Reilly, MacKinnon and captain Gabriel Landeskog scored with the man advantage. Jamie McGinn and defenseman Jan Hejda also tallied and Semyon Varlamov made 35 saves for his first victory in four starts.

Ryan Johansen and Nick Foligno had a goal and an assist apiece for Columbus, which fell to 1-3-1 against Central Division opponents. Boone Jenner also tallied and Curtis McElhinney stopped 18 shots.

O’Reilly lifted a wrist shot over McElhinney from the side of the net during a power play with 5:18 remaining in the second period to give Colorado a 3-2 edge. Landeskog finished a great passing play while with the man advantage 8:10 into the third and MacKinnon tipped home a hard pass with 1:03 remaining.

Johansen and Hejda traded first-period goals and Jenner batted a rebound out of the air while in front of Varlamov 8:34 into the second to put the Blue Jackets up 2-1. McGinn backhanded a rebound between McElhinney’s pads 3 1/2 minutes later to forge a tie.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Varlamov has not lost in regulation in his last eight starts. His previous three starts were overtime or shootout losses. … Avalanche C Matt Duchene added two assists for 16 points in 14 games in December, ,,, Landeskog is on a four-game point streak. … Colorado improved to 5-1-0 against Metropolitan Division foes.