Ross Colton is moving forward for the Avalanche, enjoying the best linemates

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Colorado Avalanche, plagued by injuries and poor defensive performance, have not had an ideal start to the season. But since they’ve won two in a row after dropping their first four, the lineup overhaul has opened the door to a potential breakout season for Ross Colton.

The 28-year-old winger, who stepped into the first line with Jonathan Drouin injured, scored twice in the Avalanche’s 4-1 win over San Jose. He has five goals in his last three games and is tied for second in the NHL in goals with six. Playing alongside top forwards in Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen has certainly helped.

“These are two of the best players in the world,” Colton said. “I’m just trying to play my game, get open for them. You just have to find the smaller areas and they’ll find you on the ice. It’s been fun.”

Colton’s first goal came on the power play off a feed in the slot by MacKinnon. His second came in a hurry, with a lead pass from Rantanen that threw Colton free as the winger beat two defenders in the offensive zone.

Colton, who wore an extra-large Avalanche hat in the locker room as the player of the game, said he tries not to think about playing with Rantanen and MacKinnon. He believes he has formed chemistry with them over the last few games.

“My favorite thing about playing with them is going back to the bench, and the little things they tell you make a big difference,” Colton said. “It goes a long way, coming from these guys, who believe in me.”

Colton, in his second season with the Avalanche after spending his first three seasons with Tampa Bay, is coming off a career season in which he had 17 goals and 23 assists. He also led the team during the playoffs with 43 hits.

“I think he’s playing with a lot of confidence,” coach Jared Bednar said. “She’s shooting really well. She’s got the right amount of noise for her game. She’s playing really well right now. She fits in with those guys, and when she has opportunities to score, she’s the only one who puts it in the back of the net.”

Drouin, who scored 19 goals last season, has not played since the start of the season with an upper-body injury. Colorado is also without other top-six forwards Gabe Landeskog (knee), Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder) and Valeri Nichushkin (suspension) and defenseman Devon Toews (lower body).

In Drouin’s absence, Colton has stepped up both on the top line and on the power play unit. Three of Colton’s goals this season have come on the power play, and Rantanen said it’s been fun playing with Colton.

“Play hard, play with the edge,” Rantanen said. “On the power play, he’s good on loose pucks, good at finishing plays, as we’ve seen this year.”

Colton said the game has slowed down a bit on the wing this season after not always feeling like himself last year playing center. Being a winger allows him more freedom to get into the forecheck and force turnovers.

“Last year, my first year here, just feeling it, learning the system, I wasn’t always myself,” Colton said. “Much more comfortable this year.”