Clutch playoff scorer Danny Briere delivers for Avalanche in Boston

BOSTON Because of post-game interview requests, the last two players to leave the Avalanche dressing room at TD Garden on Monday were new additions Jarome Iginla and Daniel Briere. Iginla, of course, played last season for the Bruins, and by now, you all know Briere was super clutch in the Avs 2-1 Columbus Day win.

Briere, whose 53 career playoff goals are tied for 45th most all-time, scored with a half-second left in regulation to give Colorado a much-needed goal and two points, their first triumph of the young seasons. It was Brieres 300th career NHL regular-season goal. The online game story that will turn into a different online/print version is here. The notebook will be in the same vicinity, as well as a look at Tuesdays opponent, the Maple Leafs in Toronto, with a spotlight on top-line center Tyler Bozak, the former Denver Pioneer.

Danny Briere:

Some observations: If Reto Berra is a problem, hes a good problem to have. At this rate, Varlys backup will make more starts than any of us anticipated a month ago. Berra has been berry, berry good since his first preseason start my pick as No. 1 star Monday. Say what you want about Nathan MacKinnon, maybe the NHLs fastest skater, playing with 30-somethings Alex Tanguay and Briere. Too much speed paired with too much age? The line produced the shift of the game Monday. The Avs have improved after every game this season, which is good because the opener, of course, was a horror show. They played much better in the second game against Minnesota and Mondays win at Boston was their best performance of the season. Defenseman Ryan Wilson missed most of the third period to an apparent concussion, after being struck in the head by a puck. I thought Wilson was hit in the midsection, because he tried to stretch or shake it off, and lined up for a defensive-zone faceoff immediately after. But he was clearly uncomfortable and, the more I think about it, he could have been completely out of it, not knowing what was going on. Zach Redmond or Nate Guenin will replace Wilson on Tuesday. The boom box was blaring in the Avs locker room after the game, always a difficult environment to record conversations but nevertheless easier to do your job.

Jarome Iginla:

Check here Tuesday for updates from Toronto.

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Clutch playoff scorer Danny Briere delivers for Avalanche in Boston