Avalanche Vs. Blues Final Score: Kevin Shattenkirk Haunts Avs In Blues' 3-1 Victory

St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Andy McDonald posted a goal and two assists as St. Louis downed Colorado, 3-1, at Scottrade Center.

Kevin Shattenkirk and David Backes also scored for the Blues, who have won five of their last seven and beat Colorado for the first time in almost two years.

Jaroslav Halak picked up the win with 26 saves.

"I'd say we gave up about 50 minutes worth of scoring chances in the first 20, and for them to only have the one, it's because he was on his game," said Blues head coach Davis Payne about his goaltender.

Kevin Porter produced the lone tally for the Avalanche, losers in six of their last seven.

Peter Budaj yielded two goals on 28 shots for the loss.

Shattenkirk gave the home team the lead for good at the 4:07 mark of the second period while on a power play, blasting home a shot from the bottom of the left circle.

McDonald sealed the win by hitting the empty net with 40 seconds left in regulation.

"It was a spirited game for two teams that aren't going to the playoffs,"said Avalanche head coach Joe Sacco. "There was still a lot of intensity and a fun game to be part of, even on the losing side."

Backes gave the Blues a lead with 5:05 to play in the first period on a tip- in, but Porter countered for the Avs less than two minutes later.

Game Notes

Colorado won three of the four meetings this season and have taken seven of eight over St. Louis since the beginning of last season...The Blues were given four fighting majors, bringing their NHL-best total to 78...The clubs combined for 26 penalties for 132 penalty minutes.

Avalanche Vs Blues: Battle For A Draft Pick

The Colorado Avalanche head out on their final road trip of the season, beginning with a game against the St. Louis Blues. The Blues boast some familiar faces in forward Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk, both were members of the blockbuster trade that sent defenseman Erik Johnson to a Colorado uniform.

While the trade was made with a long term mindset, it's difficult to avoid looking at the short term results --and the Blues appear to have won that battle, with the reemergence of Chris Stewart's offense. Stewart has 14 goals and 22 points in 23 games while wearing a Blues sweater. Shattenkirk has a very respectable 14 points in 23 games with St. Louis.

Yet neither team has taken off since this blockbuster. The Blues have been a middling 10-11-1 since the trade. With Colorado holding St. Louis' first round pick in either 2011 or 2012, all eyes are now on the final standings. If St. Louis finishes in 11th or higher place in the final standings, Colorado will obtain their first round selection in this June's 2011 NHL Entry Draft. The Blues are currently tied for ninth place, and only two points behind Toronto for 11th. Both teams would obviously like to win tonight's matchup, but a loss would give Colorado the inside track on another first round selection in two months. What a quandary.

Peter Budaj will get the start in net after two very good starts in a row. Jaroslav Halak will start in net for St. Louis.

Puck drops at 6:00 p.m. MDT.