Final Score: Colorado 4, Columbus 0

Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Matt Duchene registered two goals and set up another to back Semyon Varlamov's ninth career shutout, as the Colorado Avalanche downed the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-0, at Pepsi Center.

Free-agent acquisitions PA Parenteau and John Mitchell also scored for the Avalanche, who got a measure of revenge against a club that contributed to them missing the postseason last year.

Colorado suffered a pair of late-season home losses to the league-worst Blue Jackets and wound up finishing 11th in the Western Conference, seven points out of a playoff spot.

Varlamov ended with 33 saves.

Sergei Bobrovsky allowed four goals on 28 shots for Columbus, which has lost three in a row. The Blue Jackets were 0-for-6 on the power play.

"We have to go out and get those tough goals," said Columbus forward Brandon Dubinsky.

Duchene fed Parenteau for a successful one-timer 51 seconds into the game.

Moments later, Mitchell was struck in the face with the puck but returned to score in the third period.

"I knew I was okay when I could see out of both my eyes," Mitchell said. "It was great to come back after getting stitched up. The goal was a bonus."

His score was sandwiched by two Duchene tallies.

The 2009 No. 3 overall pick, Duchene, pounced on a rebound in the slot with 7:35 remaining in the opening frame.

Mitchell lit the lamp 4:38 into the third, streaking down the right wing and stickhandling around a Columbus defenseman before putting the puck behind Bobrovsky.

Duchene sped through the neutral zone, split two defensemen and slid the puck past Bobrovsky with 1:18 remaining.

Game Notes

Milan Hejduk had two assists for the Avalanche ... Colorado has now killed off 16 consecutive opponent power plays.