DENVER -- Jonathan Drouin scored twice and had an assist during a four-goal first period for the Colorado Avalanche, who defeated the St. Louis Blues 5-0 at Ball Arena on Friday.

Goalies_St. Louis, Hofer 10-6-1 (36 shots-31 saves). Colorado, Blackwood 17-14-5 (19-19). A_18,073 (18,007). T_2:25.

Jared Bednar wanted the Avalanche to treat the last five games before the 4 Nations Faceoff like it’s the playoffs. The team got the memo. Colorado stormed out of the gate with four first-period goals on Friday on its way to a 5-0 drubbing of its divisional rival St.

Earlier in the week, when Brandon Saad was placed on waivers, St. Louis Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong indicated he didn’t have any plans to recall a forward from the Springfield Thunderbirds to take his spot.

The Colorado Avalanche (29-21-2) open a two-game homestand against the St. Louis Blues (23-24-4) on Friday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. MT. READ MORE: Rantanen Deal Signals Change: Why MacFarland Should Be Rewarded With Patience (+) Martin Necas and Jack Drury are set to make their home debuts with the Avs.

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)

Jonathan Drouin had two goals and added an assist, Martin Necas scored his first goal with Colorado, and the Avalanche scored four in the first period to beat the St.

Blues coach Jim Montgomery speaks with the media on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, after a road loss at the Colorado Avalanche. (Video courtesy St. Louis Blues)

A four-goal first period and Martin Necas' first goal as an Avalanche helped the Colorado Avalanche shut out the St. Louis Blues 5-0.

Jonathan Drouin had two goals and added an assist, Martin Necas scored his first goal with Colorado, and the Avalanche beat the St. Louis Blues 5-0 in Denver on Friday night.

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.

BOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Blues enter the matchup with the Colorado Avalanche after losing three games in a row. Colorado is 29-21-2 overall and 7-8-1 against the Central Division. The Avalanche have conceded 164 goals while scoring 169 for a +5 scoring differential.