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Blues aim for third straight win vs. shorthanded Avalanche

Feb 2, 2008 - 2:07 PM Colorado (27-21-4) at St Louis (24-19-7) 8:30 pm EST

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) - The All-Star break was very beneficial for the St. Louis Blues.

The Blues aim for a third straight win Saturday when they host the injury-ravaged Colorado Avalanche.

St. Louis dropped a season-high seven straight games prior to the midseason gala, but has since posted a pair of one-goal victories over Toronto and Anaheim.

All-Star goaltender Manny Legace was brilliant on Friday as he stopped 30 shots, while Andy McDonald scored the decisive goal in the shootout as the Blues posted a 1-0 victory over the Ducks. It was Legace's fourth shutout of the season and 22nd of his career.

Given his record against Colorado, coach Andy Murray may be tempted to start Legace once again Saturday. The nine-year veteran has won 10 straight starts against Colorado with three shutouts and owns a 1.40 goals-against average in that span.

Overall, Legace is 12-1-0 with a 1.85 GAA in 14 appearances against the Avalanche.

As for Colorado, Legace in net is the last thing it wants to see. The Avalanche are missing their top three scoring threats due to injury, and managed just 15 shots in a 2-0 loss to Detroit on Friday.

Captain Joe Sakic (hernia), All-Star Paul Stastny (appendix) and left wing Ryan Smyth (ankle) are all on IR. In addition, goaltender Jose Theodore missed Friday's game with back spasms and will likely sit out again.

Colorado, which has lost five of seven, may have to start Peter Budaj once again. Budaj stopped 34 shots on Friday, but allowed the decisive goal to Henrik Zetterberg with 2:20 left in the third.