Sometimes, there is no explaining the game of hockey.

The Colorado Avalanche, one of the best teams in the NHL, dominated the struggling Bruins through the first 14 minutes of Saturday’s matinee at the Garden. But just when you thought you could chalk up the seventh straight loss for the B’s, they somehow turned it around and handed the Avs their first regulation loss of the season, 3-2.

The B’s nursed a 3-1 lead for most of the third period. Artturi Lehknon got the Avs within a goal with a tip goal with 18.2 seconds left on a 6-on-5. But that’s as close as they could get.

Goaltending, of course, matters. Jeremy Swayman led the way with 30 saves.

The Avs appeared to be on the verge of of blowing out the Bruins in the first period. Not only did they take the early lead at 4:26 on an Art

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