(Denver, CO) -- Nathan MacKinnon's second-period goal was the difference as the Avalanche opened the season with a 4-1 win over the Wild in Denver. Carl Soderberg lit the lamp in the first, and Mikko Rantanen and J.T. Compher added insurance goals in the third period for the Avs. Semyon Varlamov kicked aside 20 of the 21 shots he faced in the victory. Zach Parise opened the scoring 6:14 into the game for Minnesota. Devan Dubnyk made 36 saves in the setback.