You know it’s a rough night when you pull your starter and the backup does so poorly that the first guy has to go back in. It was that kind of night for the Ottawa Senators.

Which worked out well for the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avalanche scored five goals in a span of 6:18 late in the second period on their way to embarrassing the Ottawa Senators with an 8-2 victory on home ice. Leevi Merilainen, who was pulled after giving up the first three goals of the game for Ottawa, found himself back in net for the third period after Mads Sogard gave up five goals on the 16 shots he faced. Hopefully Merilainen wasn’t told to hit the showers in between appearances.

It’s difficult to think of a better way to kick off a seven-game home stand for Colorado, but believe it or not, there was a time in this game where it looked like the Avalanche might be in a little bit of danger.

Just after scoring to make it 3-1 early in the second, the Senators started to gain momentum, pinning the Avalanche in their own end for multiple shifts. Soon after, it looked like Fabian Zetterlund had made it 3-2 after outmuscling a few Avalanche defensemen in front.

Not so fast.

An astute challenge by Avalanche video coach Brett Heimlich put a stop to that real quick, as the Senators were about five feet offside on the play leading up to the goal. With the goal disallowed and a second for the home team to calm down, they resumed their beat down. First it was Martin Necas, then it was Brent Burns, then Brock Nelson before Josh Manson and Nelson each potted their second of the game.

Before the third period could even start, the game was very much over. A good challenge can change a game, and this was one the Avalanche needed.

“That was pretty obvious it was offside, but I just think at that point, you have to turn it,” Jared Bednar said after the win. “One goal going in and then another one, even though it was offside, that’s enough. I thought our guys did a good job doing that, getting back on track right away.”

Manson was the engine for the team right from the start. Just two minutes in, Ottawa’s Tyler Kleven threw a big hit on Ivan Ivan, which caused Manson to respond with force. After multiple rights to the jaw of Kleven, Manson sent the Senators defenseman to the ice and got the crowd into the game immediately.

On his first shift out of the box, he got the scoring started, sending a wrist shot through traffic to make it 1-0. With an assist on Colorado’s third goal, Manson had a good old fashioned Gordie Howe Hat Trick less than 23 minutes into the game. Another goal by the defenseman later in the second gave him two firsts, his first career four-point game and his first ever two-goal game in the NHL.

And all of it in front of his dad, who happened to be in attendance.

“He’s seen me fight, he’s maybe seen me score, but I don’t think he’s ever seen…actually, nobody’s ever seen that out of me in the NHL,” Manson joked after the game.

Just like that, Colorado’s brief two-game skid came to an end and their lead is back up to 11 points in the Central. The cherry on top? Their next six games are at Ball Arena, where they haven’t lost in regulation yet this season.

“You always want to make hay when the sun shines,” Bednar said Thursday morning. “Being at home for seven games in a row, you want to make the most of the home stand.”

Mission accomplished for game one.

Avalanche 8, Senators 2

What happened: A motivated Avalanche squad took advantage of an Ottawa team that played in Utah the night before.

What went right: While some questioned Brock Nelson’s inclusion on Team USA’s Olympic roster, he’s certainly quieting them now. Since being named to the team, Nelson has five goals and seven points in four games.

What went wrong: Ottawa pushed early in the second and if not for that offside challenge, this game could have turned out a little differently.

Avalanche goal scorers: Manson (3,4), MacKinnon (36), Necas (20), Burns (6), Nelson (20,21), Makar (13)

Senators goal scorers: Pinto (13), Tkachuk (8)

Between the pipes: Scott Wedgwood made 29 saves in the win and got involved in a scrum when things got chippy in the third period.

What’s next: The Avalanche host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday at 2 p.m.