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Duchene scores in return to Colorado

Matt Duchene, Nathan MacKinnon, mackinnon, duchene

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, left, faces off with Ottawa Senators center Matt Duchene in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

AP

I suppose this was bound to happen.

Ottawa Senators forward Matt Duchene scored in his return to his old stomping grounds on Friday, sticking it to the Colorado Avalanche one last time.

The Avalanche had just played a tribute video for Duchene on the jumbotron inside Pepsi Center. Duchene waved from the Sens bench and then scored seconds later.

Here’s the entire sequence:

Duchene said it was going to be an emotional game for himself prior to puck drop.

The tribute was more of a public service announcement, if we’re being honest. The announcer rattled off some of his stats from his time in Colorado. No video tribute, only a camera planted on Duchene who gave a wave to the cheering crowd.

The Duchene trade is nearing its one year anniversary.

He was dealt to the Senators in a mammoth three-team deal on Nov. 5 after months of speculation on his future with the Avs.

Earlier this week, Duchene figured he might hear some boos from the Avs’ faithful.

“I’m sure there will be the odd one,” Duchene told the Ottawa Sun. “But people have to understand that I gave everything I had when I was there.”

That didn’t stop the boos coming his way.

Whether Duchene gave his all to Colorado will be debated amongst fans for a while to come.

The stats suggest he was pretty good, though.

UPDATE: Duchene has his second of the game against his old team.


Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck