Avalanche 4, Canadiens 1: Top overall pick Nathan MacKinnon and Ryan O'Reilly scored 3 1/2 minutes apart in the third period as host Colorado (12-1-0) set a franchise record for its best start to a season and retired former captain Adam Foote's number.

Captain Gabriel Landeskog scored for the second straight contest and fifth time in seven games before assisting on MacKinnon's tally at 8:01 of the third. PA Parenteau added an empty-net goal and Jean-Sebastien Giguere turned aside 29 shots for the Avalanche, who recorded their second six-game winning streak of the campaign as Hall-of-Famer Patrick Roy coached against the team with which he played his first 10 1/2 seasons.

Brendan Gallagher scored a power-play goal to forge a 1-1 tie at 3:38 of the third period. Former Colorado goaltender Peter Budaj finished with 27 saves in his third start of the season as the Canadiens dropped their second straight game.

The Avalanche seized a 2-1 lead when MacKinnon cleaned up the rebound of Landeskog's shot and backhanded the puck into the net for his second goal of the season. O'Reilly provided insurance at 11:31 by scoring on a wraparound before Parenteau sealed the win with 38 seconds left.

Landeskog opened the scoring with 8:46 remaining in the second period. The 20-year-old Swede gained possession of the puck near the blue line before skating in and blasting a shot over Budaj's blocker. The slim advantage stood up until Gallagher tucked home the rebound of defenseman P.K. Subban's blast.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Foote's number (52) was the ninth retired by the Quebec/Colorado franchise, He played 17 of his 19 NHL seasons with the club and helped the Avalanche to two Stanley Cup titles. ... The franchise's previous best start to the season came in 1994, when the Nordiques won 11 of their first 12 games. ... Colorado LW Alex Tanguay suffered a knee injury and did not return to the contest.