Avalanche off to good start; top Bruins, 4-0

BOSTON — The Colorado Avalanche are heading into their National Hockey League home opener feeling pretty good.

Another win in Boston certainly helped.

Semyon Varlamov stopped 29 shots, Nail Yakupov scored two goals and the Colorado Avalanche continued their recent success in Boston with a 4-0 win over the Bruins on Monday.

Sven Andrighetto and J.T. Compher scored first-period goals for the Avalanche, who improved to 11-0-0-1 in their past 12 games in Boston since the most recent loss on March 30, 1998.

Colorado completed its seasonopening three-game road trip at 2-1. Boston split its first two games — both at home.

“I think we’re fortunate to be 2-1,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “Our best game of the road trip was certainly our third. To be 2-1 in a tough building here in Boston, against a good team to get a good solid win, this is a little bit of a sign of maturity.”

Varlamov is also off to a good start after missing the final 40 games last season following hip surgery.

“It gives you confidence and brings confidence to the team,” he said.

Tuukka Rask made 19 saves for the Bruins.

Boston coach Bruce Cassidy saw some mistakes from his young players that led to an early 2-0 hole, but he was most disappointed with the overall effort.

“The core group that we rely on — it just wasn’t a good effort,” he said. “I put myself in that category.