Blues 4, Avalanche 1
Alex Steen became the NHL's second 20-goal scorer this season and captain David Backes recorded a tally and an assist as visiting St. Louis extended its winning streak to five games.
Jaden Schwartz scored a short-handed goal, Chris Stewart added an empty-netter and Jaroslav Halak made 25 saves for the Blues, who improved to 10-1-1 in their last 12 contests. St. Louis raised its road record to 7-2-1 with its third straight win away from home.
Patrick Bordeleau scored and Semyon Varlamov stopped 31 shots for Colorado, which had its three-game winning streak halted. The Avalanche have scored just one goal four times over their last seven contests.
The Blues got on the board just 2:46 into the game as Backes redirected a backhand pass from T.J. Oshie past Varlamov from the inner edge of the left faceoff circle. Steen doubled the lead less than four minutes later, converting a feed from below the right circle by Backes during a power play.
Bordeleau halved the deficit 2:14 afterward, when he banged in a rebound while standing in the crease. Schwartz restored St. Louis' two-goal advantage when he picked up a loose puck in his own zone and raced down the left wing before beating Varlamov high to the glove side from the top of the slot with 1:48 left in the opening period.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Avalanche C Paul Stastny was scratched due to back spasms while C Matt Duchene returned to the lineup following a three-game absence due to an oblique strain. ... Steen pulled even with Washington's Alex Ovechkin for the league lead in goals. ... Blues C Derek Roy notched a pair of assists, giving him a goal and five points in two meetings with Colorado this season.