The Colorado Avalanche began the season with a dud against a recent Stanley Cup champion — the Vegas Golden Knights. But the Avs looked like a completely different club Monday night, completing the first half of the regular season with a statement effort against the defending champion Florida Panthers. Devon Toews scored twice, Mackenzie Blackwood made 26 saves and the Avalanche scratched out its 25th win in 41 games, a 3-1 victory at Ball Arena. “(We’ve come) a long ways,” Toews said.