Victor Olofsson has a lot of love for the city of Buffalo and their fans. He was perfectly fine being in the opposing locker room when the Avalanche visited his old stomping grounds last week, though.

The 30-year-old winger, who moved to the top power play unit in Saturday’s 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins, spent the first six seasons of his NHL career. Seeing as how the Sabres haven’t made the postseason in 14 seasons, it should come as no surprise that he never experienced playoff hockey in Buffalo.

After the Avalanche beat down the Sabres earlier this week, fans in the Buffalo stands began tossing their jerseys on the ice. Just one week into the season, many of them had given up hope on yet another season. Olofsson can sympathize with them.

“For sure (I feel bad for them),” Olofsson told The Gazette prior to Saturday’s game. “I feel for the guys in that locker room too, guys that I played a lot of years with.”

Hockey is supposed to be fun. When you’re losing and losing a lot, it’s the opposite of that.

“It definitely makes it easier when you’re winning, I can tell you that,” Olofsson said. “When I was there, I feel like a lot of times they played good hockey, but the lows have gotten too deep and too long. It’s not always easy when you’re losing to turn things around.”

After six seasons in Buffalo, Olofsson left as a free agent, joining the Vegas Golden Knights last season. He still contributed on the scoresheet, but for someone who had mostly been known as a one-dimensional player, he wanted to improve his overall game.

He found being in a winning culture with strong leaders around him played a big role in him accomplishing that goal.

“I think it helped a lot, especially last year in Vegas,” Olofsson said. “Got to play my first playoffs and got that experience. I know that helped me a lot to grow and also just feel the level of the playoffs and know where you have to be every day to play at a high level and be competitive. It definitely pushed me to become a better player.”

It can’t be overlooked how much being in a winning environment can help a player grow.

“It helps a lot,” Jared Bednar said. “You got to hold yourself to a higher standard. Vegas plays with a really good structure, I think we do the same. When you know what everyone’s supposed to be doing on the ice and you’re sort of predictable to yourselves, it helps you focus in on your job and what you need to do. Players become better with a team that plays a good structure and I think it’s paid off for (Olofsson) in Vegas and we’re seeing it again with us this year.”

It’s been a strong start for Olofsson in Colorado. Heading into Saturday’s game, he had three assists in five games, all of which came at even strength. There’s one big reason why he was promoted to the top power play unit against the Bruins — he’s a shooter and he’s stuck to his identity.

Through five games, only Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar had registered more shots on net than Olofsson’s 14. None of those shots have entered the net, but he’s not too worried about that right now.

“I don’t feel frustrated yet,” Olofsson said. “I want to put the puck in the net, but I feel like I’ve had a lot of shots and good chances too. Usually when you do pile up the shots, they go in eventually. I’ve gone through it a couple of times in my career and I’m not stressed or worried about it. I’m happy with the way I’ve been playing here in the beginning (of the season), and I feel like that’s more important than to just get the goals.”

Avalanche 4, Bruins 1

What happened: If not for Jeremy Swayman, this game could have gotten ugly early. The Avalanche outshot the Bruins significantly on their way to a relatively easy win.

What went right: There’s a reason why Bednar always goes back to Artturi Lehkonen on MacKinnon’s wing – it works. Outside of his ability to do all the little things, he has terrific chemistry with the superstar center and assisted on two more of MacKinnon’s goals Saturday.

What went wrong: The Avalanche continue to tease their not-so-secret Nordiques throwback jerseys, wearing the setup at morning skate. They did not wear them on Saturday night, despite teasing it multiple times on social media. It’s been a bizarre marketing plan for something everyone seems to know is coming.

Avalanche goal scorers: MacKinnon (5,6), Manson (1), Necas (4)

Bruins goal scorers: Beecher (1)

Between the pipes: Scott Wedgewood was not a busy man but did what he needed to do against the Bruins, stopping 13 of the 14 shots he faced. His best save came late in the third when he robbed Beecher with his glove.

What’s next? The Avalanche head to Utah to take on the Mammoth Tuesday evening at 8 p.m.