With two of their top defensemen out, the Florida Panthers knew they were in for a challenge Monday night in Denver against the Avalanche. Sergei Bobrovsky — and the defensemen in for the Panthers — were up for the task.

The Florida Panthers kicked of their latest road trip Monday night against the Colorado Avalanche. Florida struggled to generate much offense and leaned heavily on their goaltender, falling to the host Avs 3-1 at Ball Arena.

Bobrovsky stopped 31 of 33 shots in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Avalanche, with Colorado's final goal getting scored into an empty net. The veteran netminder had a shutout going late in the second period until Devon Toews' point shot hit the crossbar,

Between pipes against Avalanche

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Colorado Avalanche center Juuso Parssinen, center, battles for position in front of the net between Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, left, and left wing Tomas Nosek, top right, in the first period of an NHL hockey ...

The Avalanche is 6-0-1 in its past seven games and wrapped up a 3-0-1 homestand. Carter Verhaeghe had a goal and Sergei Bobrovsky made 31 saves for Florida.

But the Avs looked like a completely different club Monday night, completing the first half of the regular season with a statement effort against the defending champion Florida Panthers. Devon Toews scored twice, Mackenzie Blackwood made 26 saves and the Avalanche scratched out its 25th win in 41 games, a 3-1 victory at Ball Arena.

DENVER -- Devon Toews had two goals and an assist, and the Colorado Avalanche scored three straight goals to rally for a 3-1 win against the Florida Panthers at Ball Arena on Monday.

Sergei Bobrovsky — and the defensemen ... Florida killed off four Colorado power plays and frustrated the Avalanche throughout the night even with Aaron Ekblad and Niko Mikkola missing the ...

The Florida Panthers kicked of their latest road trip Monday night against the Colorado Avalanche ... His long wrist shot went over Sergei Bobrovsky’s shoulder and off the crossbar before ...

Colorado Avalanche center Juuso Parssinen, center, battles for position in front of the net between Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, left, and left wing Tomas Nosek, top right ...

DENVER (AP) — Devon Toews scored twice, including the go-ahead goal with 11:06 remaining, and the Colorado Avalanche ... according to NHL Stats. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 31 shots.