Another fast start fuels Avalanche in dominant 4-1 win over Canucks

Colorado Avalanche’s Mikko Rantanen, back, celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Suddenly, the Avalanche’s strong starts are beginning to blur together enough to be forgotten.

“First time in a while we had a really good first period,” Mikko Rantanen said Wednesday in Calgary after a 3-0 frame led to a 4-1 win. The natural follow-up: Was there something Rantanen didn’t like about Colorado’s first periods in the previous two games, both of which ended with 2-0 leads? “Oh yeah, it was I guess,” he laughed. “Yeah,…