CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon had three second-period assists to regain the NHL points lead, Martin Necas scored twice and added an assist and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Calgary Flames 4-2 on Thursday night.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon continues to bolster his MVP case.Late in the second period of Colorado's home game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, MacKinnon became the first player to reach 80 points this season when he netted his 20th goal on a power play.

Perhaps Sunday marked the start of the Avalanche getting their mojo back after a roller-coaster January underscored by a 7-6-2 record, and the blockbuster trade of Mikko Rantanen to Carolina. The Avs weathered a grinding opening period to pull away for a 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at Ball Arena.