The set-up: The Colorado Avalanche have opened 3-1-0 and look to continue that strong start on Friday when they host the 2-1-1 Anaheim Ducks at the Pepsi Center. However, the Avs are well aware that they also won three of their first four games in 2016-17, before they imploded and finished with an NFL-worst 48 points on the season (fewest points of any NHL team in the salary cap era). Colorado enters this contest off a home-and-home sweep of the Bruins (won 6-3 at home Wednesday, after winning 4-0 Monday in Boston), while the Ducks will play on the road for the first time this season, after concluding a 2-1-1 homestand with a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders on Wednesday. Anaheim: Patrick Eaves returned from a three-game absence due to a lower-body injury (was inserted on the top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry) and chipped in a goal. to score the eventual game-winning goal for the Ducks against the Isles. Andrew Cogliano scored and set up a goal against the Islanders to increase his point total to five (two goals, three assists). Rickard Rakell has seen a significant uptick in ice time this season with his move to that of a full-time center, as he's averaging 22 minutes compared to 17-plus in 2016-17. Colorado:The Avalanche are right where they were a year ago after four games but are feeling confident and not looking backwards regarding last season's 'nightmare.' There is a different feel to this start as opposed to last season's and that's experience. The Avalanche remember how things went sideways in November, when they went from a .500 team to last in the NHL. They feel they have learned from last season, and they have improved. Nail Yakupov scored three goals in Colorado's home-and-home sweep of Boston, while Matt Duchene collected three points (one goal, two assists). Jonathan Bernier will be in goal and ready to face his former team. He stepped up last season for the Ducks in lieu of injuries to John Gibson and posted a 21-7-4 mark and recorded at least a point in 14 of his last 15 starts, going 12-1-2. The pick: The Ducks may get to face an Avalanche team without one of their young stars. Tyson Jost didn't practice Thursday after getting checked into the boards in the second period against Boston. He was helped off with a left knee injury but returned and scored an empty-net goal to secure the win. Head coach Jared Bednar told reporters that he was unsure if the rookie would play versus the Ducks. Anaheim, like most teams, had plenty of success against Colorado last season, winning all three meetings on its way to the Western Conference finals. Yes, this is the Ducks' its first road game but I'm far from ready to 'buy in' on the Avalanche team. Let's not forget that the Avs finished the 2016-17 season last in the league in goals per game (2.01), goals allowed (3.37), power-play efficiency (12.6) and second to last on the penalty kill (77.3). Make Anaheim an 8* play.