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.