Bodog Beat

Peter Forsberg gets an atta-boy from Joe Sakic. (AP Images)

Foppa is back – finally.

The Colorado Avalanche returned Peter Forsberg to the fold in hopes he could spark a run to the postseason. He went pointless in his first two games and looked weary skating in the NHL for the first time in more than a year. But on Saturday things started to click and the Avs sent notice to the Western Conference that they’re once again formidable.

Behind Forsberg’s two assists, the Avalanche rallied to upend the Dallas Stars, 3-1, at the Pepsi Center. All of Colorado’s goals came in the third period as they found a way to break through against Marty Turco (25 saves).

Scott Hannan and Andrew Brunette scored 2:42 apart in the third period to give the Avalanche a 2-1 lead. Paul Stastny added an empty-netter to close out the scoring.

The Avs paid -130 on the puckline (meaning a winning hockey bet of $130 would net $100). Jose Theodore made 25 saves to earn his sixth win in a row.

In other early NHL action on Saturday:

Montreal 5, Los Angeles 2: The Canadiens tallied three unanswered goals in the second period to break open a scoreless game in Los Angeles. Montreal, which paid -135, could jump back into first place in the Eastern Conference depending on other results.

Boston 2, Washington 1: The Bruins paid -125 at home on third-period goals by Zdeno Chara and Marco Sturm.

Bet on the NHL!