Colorado Avalanche left wing Jonathan Drouin, left, is congratulated after scoring by defenseman Sam Malinski (70) in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER (AP) — Jonathan Drouin had two goals and an assist, Mackenzie Blackwood had 19 saves, and the Avalanche used a four-goal first period to beat the St. Louis Blues 5-0 on Friday night.
Martin Necas scored his first goal with Colorado since he and Jack Drury were acquired from Carolina for pending unrestricted free agent Mikko Rantanen on Jan. 24. They made their home debuts after playing their first three games on the road. Necas scored his 17th of the season 7:39 into the game.
Drouin scored at 4:57 of the first and added a power-play goal later in the first period that made it 3-0. Cale Makar capped the four-goal period with his third in the past three games. He leads all defensemen with 19 and is second in points with 57.
Joel Kiviranta capped the shutout at 13:21 of the third period.
Joel Hofer made 31 saves for St. Louis, which has dropped four in a row and five of its last six games.
Takeaways
Blues: Have struggled to find offense during their four-game losing streak. They’ve been outscored 16-4 and have been shut out twice.
Avalanche: Blackwood had his first shutout with Colorado, his second of the season and 12th of his career.
Key moment
The Blues had a chance at a short-handed goal heading when they had a two-on-one rush late in the second period. Makar sprawled out in front of the net to block Rob Thomas’ pass, and time ran out in the period.
Key stat
Colorado’s power play woke up after a long struggle. The Avalanche were 3 of 41 in their previous 16 games and had not scored more than a goal with the man advantage since Dec. 19.
Up next
Both teams are in action Sunday, with the Blues wrapping up a quick two-game road trip at Utah and the Avalanche hosting Philadelphia.
Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas, left, celebrates after scoring with defenseman Cale Makar, right, in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
St. Louis Blues center Alexandre Texier (9) shoots against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (39) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer (30) clears the puck after a shot by Colorado Avalanche left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Playing in his first NHL hockey game on home ice, recently-acquired Colorado Avalanche center Martin Necas is introduced before a matchup against the St. Louis Blues, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, left, passes the puck as St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas, right, defends in the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer makes a stick-save in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Colorado Avalanche, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
St. Louis Blues right wing Alexey Toropchenko, right, wraps around the net as Colorado Avalanche center Juuso Parssinen (16) defends in the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
St. Louis Blues left wing Nathan Walker, rightt, looks for a pass as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sam Malinski, left, covers in the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
St. Louis Blues right wing Alexey Toropchenko (13) shoots against Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (39) in the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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