It took about 30 minutes for the Avalanche to really wake up for their matinee against the Buffalo Sabres. Until that happened, their high-end talent carried them to a 3-1 victory.

Here are three takeaways from Colorado’s win, which gives the Avalanche seven of a possible eight points to start the season:

1. Martin Necas and Nathan MacKinnon have picked up right where they left off last season. Through four games, the duo has combined for 16 points. They were close to adding a few more points to their overall total, but an offside review negated a third-period goal from Necas. MacKinnon was the best player on the ice and could have easily potted a hat trick, but his shot was a little off in the third period. His goal that got the party started for the Avalanche was a highlight-reel one, as he corralled a puck behind his back before beating Alex Lyon on the backhand. The goaltending on Buffalo’s end was questionable, but the skill level on MacKinnon’s end isn’t.

2. Colorado got a major scare in the third period when Bowen Byram’s skate appeared to cut Brock Nelson in the hand/wrist area. The severity of a skate cut really just depends on where a player gets hit. Luckily for the Avalanche, Nelson returned late in the period and appeared to be just fine. While the offense hasn’t been there for Nelson and the second line early in the season, he’s vital for their plans this season. He had good fortune on his side because a skate blade to a tendon (or something even worse) would have been real ugly for Nelson and the Avalanche.

3. Shooters shoot, and the Avalanche brought in Victor Olofsson because he’s just that — a shooter. He lived up to his name on Monday, sending seven shot attempts towards the net in a little under 14 minutes of ice time. Colorado’s power play has been wildly inconsistent through four games and if they’re going to set up the way they have been, it might be in their best interest to give Olofsson a look on the top unit. Nothing against Nelson, but Olofsson has the type of shot that requires a game plan from opponents. It’s been a revolving door in that spot on the power play since the Avalanche dealt Mikko Rantanen. It’s where Olofsson has been successful throughout his NHL career and probably worth taking a look at.

4. Gavin Brindley continues to stand out in limited ice time and hasn’t come out of the lineup just yet. At some point, the team will have to get a look at Zakhar Bardakov, as they don’t want him sitting around for too long without playing. It’s hard to take out Brindley, though.

5. Scott Wedgewood continued his strong start and shouldered the Avalanche in the game early until they found their legs. Help may be on the way, though. The Avalanche loaned Mackenzie Blackwood to the Colorado Eagles on a conditioning stint Monday. It’s entirely possible Blackwood will just practice with the AHL team this week to stay busy while the Avalanche are on the road. If the Avalanche want Blackwood to get in games with the Eagles, he’ll have to travel with the AHL squad to California over the weekend.