P.K. Subban scored a pair of goals and the Canadiens weathered a late Avalanche surge to beat visiting Colorado 3-2 Saturday.

The Canadiens appeared to be cruising to victory when Avalanche Coach Patrick Roy pulled his goalie with over two minutes remaining, and Matt Duchene tipped a Jarome Iginla shot between Carey Price’s pads to close the gap to a single goal.

It was Duchene’s ninth shot on goal of the night and his second goal of the season. Duchene came close to tying the score with seconds left but was unable to get the puck between Price’s pads for a second time.

The Canadiens trailed 1-0 after a first-period goal by former Hab Alex Tanguay who scored against Carey Price at 2:23 of the first period

But the Canadiens employed a novel way to score with both Alex Galchenyuk and P.K. Subban netting goals seconds after leaving the penalty box to help the Habs to a 3-1 lead.

The Canadiens needed over a full period to even things up after falling behind early, as P.K. Subban blasted a power play goal from the far end of the circle past 22-year-old Colorado netminder Calvin Pickard, making his first NHL start. Andrei Markov and Alex Galchenyuk earned assists on the play.

The Habs took the lead seven minutes later as Galchenyuk exited the penalty box and stripped Nathan MacKinnon of the puck before powering past the Avalanche defence and shooting low on Pickard to give the Canadiens a 2-1 lead at 11:23 of the second. Brandon Prust earned an assist on the play.

P.K. Subban gave the Canadiens a two goal lead with a spectacular goal - his second of the night - after leaping out of the penalty box, circling the Colorado net and outwaiting Pickard, to give the Habs a 3-1 lead at 17:59 of the second. It was Subban's second goal of the game and third of the season.

Price had 32 saves in the win, which left the Canadiens with a 5-1-0 record. The Canadiens got 36 shots on goal in the game, with Max Pacioretty leading the team with seven shots on goal, while Galchenyuk got five and Travis Moen four.

Dale Weise and Nathan Beaulieu were healthy scratches for the Canadiens.

Post-game comments

Following the game Subban was humble when discussing his spectacular second goal, blaming himself for the penalty he took just prior to netting the around-the-net effort.

"I've got to stay out of the box," Subban told reporters. "It’s great to get the goal but just because you do one thing wrong and one thing right it doesn't even out. You have to be a leader, set a good example but I’m happy to get the goal for sure."

Subban's teammate P.A. Parenteau described the goal as a "highlight reel goal." The newcomer, who came from the Avalanche in the off-season in return for Danny Briere, said that he's impressed by the Canadiens' quickness.

"I like the speed. We're making good decisions and if we keep other teams in their own zone, we'll be fine," he said.

Coach Michel Therrien was asked about young defenceman Jarred Tinordi, who impressed and even squared off in an uneventful fight. "He's getting better and better and he's trying to keep his game simple."

When asked about Galchenyuk, Therrien was equally effusive. "He's got some great hands. He can make plays at the highest level with a lot of speed. His understanding of the game is a lot better than when he was 18 and 19."

Avalanche struggling

MacKinnon, who scored 24 goals last season and Jarome Iginla, who netted 30 for the Boston Bruins, both failed to score, leaving them without a goal after six games.  

Pickard earned the start after starter Semyon Varlamov aggravated a groin injury and backup Reto Berra injured his neck in a 5-3 loss in Ottawa on Thursday night.

The Avalanche had the second-best record in the Western Conference last season, racking up 112 points under new coach Patrick Roy. But the Colorado squad has only three points in six games this season, although they’ve only played twice at home. The Canadiens also beat the Avalanche twice in the pre-season.

The Canadiens next play on Tuesday as they host the Red Wings and again Saturday with the Rangers coming to town. They then head west for a three game road trip to Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.