SUNRISE, Fla. — Among the Avalanche’s six new players, Joe Colborne and Patrick Wiercioch had a head start. They knew where to eat in Denver, how to get to the practice rink and where to get away on off days. Before trying to fit in with the team, they understood the area.

Perhaps it’s only coincidence, but the former University of Denver classmates are off to terrific starts as two of the Avs’ top three scorers. They each have four points through four games, tied for second behind Nathan MacKinnon, who has five.

Colborne, the third-line center, leads Colorado with three goals — a hat trick on opening night — and Wiercioch is the Avs’ top-scoring defenseman. Early into the season, the western Canadian natives are regularly referred to as “Colby” and “Patty” by their teammates and coaches.

“The boys have all kind of accepted us, and there’s a certain level of comfort in Denver — little things you’re worried about going to a new city,” Colborne said. “We don’t have to deal with that. In a way, we’re home. More than anything, the guys have accepted us and we feel like we’ve been part of this team for a long time. Yeah, it’s working out.”

The Avs conclude a four-game road trip Saturday night against the Florida Panthers. They are 2-1 on the trip and 3-1 overall. The two 26-year-old, 6-foot-5 former Pioneers — who joined DU at the same time and signed NHL contracts after their sophomore seasons in 2010 — look like excellent free-agent additions.

“It’s easy to look at that when you start the season 3-1, but yeah, contributing feels great,” Wiercioch said. “The last couple years for me, it’s been frustrating not getting that opportunity to play that role. It’s a fresh start with a fresh team and we’re both excited about that.”

Colborne was drafted by Boston in the first round (16th overall) in 2008 but never played for the Bruins and was traded to Toronto in 2011. He played sparingly for the Maple Leafs before signing with his hometown Calgary Flames before the 2013-14 season. Colborne scored a career-high 19 goals with the Flames last season but wasn’t qualified as a restricted free agent over the summer and became unrestricted — leading to his July 1 signing with the Avs.

Wiercioch was selected 42nd overall by Ottawa in the 2008 draft and played 211 games with the Senators. He also wasn’t qualified as a restricted free agent and became an unrestricted free agent, agreeing to terms with Colorado on July 1.

They’re both grateful to have an opportunity to return to Denver and play four of their first five games on the road.

“By the time this road trip ends, you’re a team,” Colborne said.

Said Wiercioch: “It’s nice to get away to get focused on the team and each other.”

First-year Avs coach Jared Bednar was hired after Colborne and Wiercioch were signed. But he likes the additions.

“Joe had a big night opening night to help get us win and Patty’s been able to chip in,” Bednar said. “Offensively, we like what we’re seeing and they’re fitting in nicely with the team — the offensive side of things and the defensive side of it. Joe has been killing penalties for us and Patty has played in all situations back there. That’s all we’re looking for, consistency to both those guys’ games.”

Spotlight on: Jaromir Jagr. He scored his first goal of the season and 750th of his career in Thursday’s 4-2 loss to visiting Washington. Jagr, 44, only trails Wayne Gretzky (894) and Gordie Howe (801) all-time, and the question is if he will become the third to reach 800 before he finally retires. Jagr had 27 goals last season, his most since 2006-07 when he was with the New York Rangers, and the Panthers have a deep offensive attack that bodes well for his continued goal-scoring success.

Notebook

Avalanche: Minus a handful of players, Colorado practiced Friday at BB&T Center. Forwards Rene Bourque and Nathan MacKinnon and defensemen Erik Johnson and Fedor Tyutin did not skate. Bourque missed Thursday’s game at Tampa Bay with a groin injury and coach Jared Bednar said MacKinnon, Johnson and Tyutin were taking maintenance days. … Semyon Varlamov will make his third consecutive start in goal. … Forward Matt Duchene bloodied the outside of his nose in a blue-line collision with teammate Ben Smith against the Lightning. In the previous game at Washington, Duchene did a front flip after taking a low hit from a Capitals defenseman.

Panthers: They are ranked third in the NHL and seventh overall in ESPN’s Ultimate Standings, which released its annual rankings Friday on the 122 professional sports franchises comprising of the NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB. Florida was 48th overall last season and No. 102 in 2014 but scored exemplary marks this year in affordability (sixth), bang for the buck (third), fan relations (ninth) and ownership (25th). Tampa Bay and Nashville were first and second in the NHL, respectively, and the Lightning took the top spot among the four major pro leagues. Colorado was 21st in the NHL. … Undrafted forward Jonathan Marchessault has taken advantage of the preseason injury to Jonathan Huberdeau and is playing on Florida’s top line with Aleskander Barkov and Jagr.