Avalanche Defeat Winless Sharks 4-1 with Colton's Two Goals and Annunen's 25 Saves

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Ross Colton scored two goals, and Justus Annunen made 25 saves in his first start of the season as the Colorado Avalanche defeated the winless San Jose Sharks 4-1 on Sunday.

Cale Makar contributed an empty-net goal along with two assists, while Joel Kiviranta also netted a score for Colorado. William Eklund managed to score for San Jose.

Colton has now tallied five goals in his last three games, having scored twice in a previous match against Anaheim. He established a 2-0 lead for Colorado in the first period with a power-play goal at 6:23 and another at even strength with 3:23 remaining.

Makar, who has 10 assists through six games, continues to record points in every match. Eklund's goal late in the first period narrowed the score to 2-1, but Kiviranta’s goal midway through the third restored a two-goal lead for Colorado. Makar sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.

San Jose's Vitek Vanecek stopped 18 shots during the game. The Sharks are still searching for their first win, resembling last year's slow start.

The Avalanche are taking three goalies on their current trip, with Alexandar Georgiev, last season's victory leader, backing up Annunen. Meanwhile, the Sharks' defense had to contend with their third consecutive game facing a 5-on-3 power play.

Avalanche: Next game at Seattle on Tuesday night.

Sharks: Next game at Anaheim on Tuesday night.