Avalanche Final Score: Erik Johnson, Paul Stastny Give Colorado 4-3 Victory

Erik Johnson and Jay McClement played as the visitors in St. Louis for the first time in their careers. Johnson’s late game heroics made sure they left as winners.

The Colorado Avalanche snapped a ten game winless streak with a gutty 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Paul Stastny was brilliant, scoring two assists and the game winning goal. But he earned second star to Johnson, who made his return to Missouri a memorable experience. He earned first star status by breaking a 2-2 tie with a bullet goal from the faceoff circle. Johnson also had three shots and was an impact player on both ends of the ice.

Former Colorado players Kevin Shattenkirk and Chris Stewart also played well, with each gaining a point. But they were secondary to the Erik Johnson Show.

Peter Budaj was also brilliant, stopping 42 of 45 shots and stealing the game for Colorado in the final moments. St. Louis outshot Colorado 45-27 for the game.

Avalanche, Blues Tied At Two Goals Apiece After Second Period

The St. Louis Blues took advantage of a penalty on Colorado Avalanche defenseman Matt Hunwick and tied the game at two goals apiece after two periods.

In every Avalanche fans’ nightmares, they imagined that recently traded players Kevin Shattenkirk and Chris Stewart would play well against their former team. Of course, it happened to be a Shattenkirk shot on goal during the power play that was tipped by Stewart and past a helpless Peter Budaj. Stewart has now scored three goals in three games since being traded to St. Louis.

Colorado defenseman Erik Johnson leads all skaters with 16:02 time on ice, on pace for his second straight game with 25+ minutes of ice time since joining the Colorado organization. He was instrumental in killing off a 5-3 Blues power play before Stewart was able to convert.

St. Louis is now outshooting Colorado by a 27-18 margin. Budaj has been very good, making 25 saves so far.

Avalanche Hold 2-1 Lead Over St. Louis Blues On Hejduk, Jones Goals

The Colorado Avalanche, mired in the midst of a 10 game winless streak, desperately needed a hot start at Scottrade Center against the St. Louis Blues.

Paul Stastny made it happen at 3:07 in the period, converting a turnover at center ice into a beautiful opportunity, making a short pass across the crease to a wide open David Jones. It was Jones’ 20th goal of the season, a career high.

Colorado made it a 2-0 lead seven minutes later, as they took advantage of a Chris Stewart tripping penalty. With the former Avalanche forward in the penalty box, Milan Hejduk scooped the puck out of the air and pushed it past Blues goalie Ty Conklin for a power play goal. John-Michael Liles and Stastny were credited with assists on the goal. They each have two assists in the period.

Blues forward Patric Berglund put St. Louis on the board just minutes later, as he pushed the puck past Budaj’s outstretched leg pad, making it a 2-1 game.

St. Louis is outshooting Colorado 15-12, but the Avalanche have had the better scoring chances in the period.

Colorado defenseman Erik Johnson leads all skaters with 8:00 time on ice.

Avalanche Vs. Blues: Reunited?

Sports can be filled with remarkable coincidences sometimes.

Tonight's game between the Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues was originally scheduled for February 2, just another game between two teams on the periphery of the Western Conference playoff picture.

Fortunately for us fans, Mother Nature stepped in and postponed the game until February 22. With the blockbuster trade between these two clubs over the weekend, this game has new meaning. Newly minted Blues Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk get to suit up against their former Avalanche club less than four days after suddenly being traded from a franchise they expected to play with for many years.

New Colorado Avalanche players Erik Johnson and Jay McClement get to wear their new sweaters and play as visitors in the Scottrade Center, a place they called home for many years.

It's a fascinating matchup between these two clubs that goes beyond the playoff standings or draft status; it's a chance for these four players to prove to their former club what they'll be missing in the future. Add the return of Avalanche star Matt Duchene to the lineup after missing two games with a hand injury, and there's plenty of buildup around this previously meaningless game.

Peter Budaj will start in net for Colorado, and he will be backed up by John Grahame. Newly acquired goalie Brian Elliott is still unavailable for Colorado due to visa issues. Ty Conklin will get the start in net for St. Louis.

The puck drops at 6:00 p.m. MST. Don't miss it!