BUFFALO, NY – Artturi Lehkonen scored with 4:22 left, and the Colorado Avalanche erased a four-goal deficit with a 5-4 win over the Buffalo Sabers on Tuesday night.

Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and added an assist as the Avalanche scored four goals in the third period. Joel Kiviranta and Logan O’Connor also scored. Backup goaltender Scott Wedgewood stopped all 22 shots he faced and took the lead after starter Alexander Georgiev allowed four goals on eight shots in 11:49 of the first period.

It was Wedgewood’s debut for Colorado after being signed last weekend as part of a backup goaltender swap with Nashville.

The Avalanche overcame a deficit of four or more goals for the fourth time in team history and the first time since they scored four goals in a 5-4 OT win over Pittsburgh in March.

Tage Thompson scored two goals for Buffalo, making them 0-3-1 in their last four games. JJ Peterka and Beck Malenstyn also scored and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen allowed five goals on 43 shots.

Lehkonen’s winning goal came after Luukkonen blocked Calvin de Haan’s shot from the left point. Parked in front, Lehkonen scored the rebound through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Avalanche: Another comeback for the Avalanche, who began the day scoring a league-high 37 first-half goals. The Avalanche improved their league lead to 7-10 when trailing after the first game.

Sabres: A frustrating end for the team that took their foot off the gas after the opening period. This was the second time in team history that the Sabers blew a lead of four or more goals. The other time was a 10-4 loss to Calgary on March 12, 1988.

Aside from Lekhonen’s goal, MacKinnon tied the game by deflecting in Mikko Rantanen’s point shot with 12:21 left.

Kiviranta, O’Connor and MacKinnon scored in a span of 6:20.

The Avalanche continue their five-game trip on Thursday at Carolina, while the Sabes continue their five-game home trip and face Winnipeg on Thursday.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl