Erik Johnson’s signing of a seven-year, $42-million contract extension was the big news of the night, but the Avalanche also opened its exhibition season with a 5-4 win in overtime over the Anaheim Ducks at the Pepsi Center.
Alex Tanguay got the game-ending goal 1:18 into the three-on-three overtime and Connor Bleackley, Mikko Rantanen, Jack Skille and Nick Holden had the other Colorado goals.
Semyon Varlamov played the first two periods, allowing two goals on 17 shots.
The Avalanche lineup, typical for the early part of the exhibition season, was a real mix, and the veterans not in uniform Tuesday likely will be in the lineup Thursday against Calgary.