Monahan and Marchenko help the Blue Jackets hold off the Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon and Ross Colton each had a goal and an assist, and Cale Makar had two assists for the Avalanche (0-2-0). Alexandar Georgiev allowed three goals on nine shots before being replaced by Justus Annunen at 1:56 of the second period. Annunen stopped 11 of 13 shots in relief.

It was the second game in a row in which Georgiev was withdrawn. He was substituted early in the third period after allowing five goals on 16 shots in Colorado's 8-4 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.

“I understand there is a certain level of frustration, but (Georgiev) is our guy. He’s our starter,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “I truly believe he has the ability, talent and work ethic to bounce back and win us hockey games. At the moment it's a mental game.

Werenski gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead at 6:38 of the first period when he picked off a centering pass from Chinakhov on a 2-on-1 at the top of the crease.

Johnson extended the game to 2-0 at 7:45 after he circled the right faceoff circle and snapped a shot just over Georgiev's shoulder.

“To be honest, it’s emotional. It is beautiful. I mean, it’s nice to get our first win,” Monahan said. “You can feel the love of this organization. I feel the love from my teammates and of course I feel the love from (Johnny Gaudreau).”

MacKinnon made it 2-1 with a power play goal at 19:52, placing a rebound off Tarasov's block and sinking a slap shot.

“It’s frustrating because you’re working in camp and you want to have a good start to the season,” Bednar said. “You do. You don't want to dig holes and then try to climb out of them, but it's a long year. Everyone wants to come out, put on a good show and do their best in front of our fans. All understandable, but it felt like it was we have a whole season on our shoulders and the season already has four game periods.