Budaj, Stewart Give St. Louis the Blues

Don't Look Now - This Guy Has 13 Points in The Last 9 Games!

After losing a close, not-reflective-of-the-score matchup against the Pittsburgh Crosbies, the Colorado Avalanche played an intriguing game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. Despite some late chaos and controversy, the Avs pulled out of Ohio with a 3-2 win.

Tonight against the St. Louis Blues, the Avs turned to Peter Budaj once again to backstop them on this road trip. Thank that D Bag in Florida for hurting Craig Anderson, who is still out with a neck injury.

Budaj made the most of his opportunity as he stopped 35 shots, including 17 in the 3rd period, en route to his first shutout of the season. Chris Stewart added 2 goals and an assist and Wojtek Wolski continued his hot season with 3 assists as the Avs beat the Blues 4-0.

Paul Stastny and Matt Duchene finished up the scoring for the Avalanche, who went 3-1-1 on their road trip.

Peter Budaj is doing exactly what I thought he’d do this season. There is no goaltender controversy, but it is certainly a pleasant surprise to see Boods get a shutout.

Duchene’s aforementioned goal was a beautiful individual effort. After Wolski caused a turnover in the neutral zone, Duchene took the puck up the left side, showed Mason pass, then toe-dragged and snapped a shot past the Blues goaltender for his 9th of the year. That goal gives him sole possession of 2nd place for goals for rookies – trailing only the highly-touted John Tavares, who has 11.

Ryan Wilson had a huge hit in the 3rd period and John-Michael Liles added 2 assists of his own.