Blues' latest losing streak reaches 13

DENVER -- Joe Sakic had a historic goal, a flukey assist and a spectacular save in Colorado's 4-2 victory over St. Louis on Saturday that extended the Blues' winless streak to 13 games.

Sakic moved into a 17th-place tie on the career goals list and got the assist on Milan Hedjuk's empty-netter off a clearing pass in the closing seconds, two plays that helped the Avs avoid a third loss in four games, which would have jeopardized their playoff aspirations.

"Those are the tough teams to play," Avs forward Dan Hinote said. "The non-playoff teams are very dangerous. We know not to take teams like this for granted. They still have an effect on you."

The Avs appeared in danger of losing for the third time in four games and further endangering their playoff aspirations when they fell behind St. Louis 1-0 in a lifeless first period. Their slump had left them just three points ahead of ninth-place Vancouver in the Western Conference before beating the Blues.

Sakic began Colorado's recovery with a second-period goal, his 31st of the season and 573rd of his career, tying Mike Bossy for 17th place.

And the Avs put the puck in the net twice early in the third period, rejuvenating a Pepsi Center crowd that had sat in silence as the Blues (0-10-2-1 since March 23) controlled the game for much of the first two periods.

Keith Tkachuk's goal for St. Louis at 18:53 made for an interesting finish. Hejduk scored an empty-netter with 31 seconds left, sending St. Louis dejectedly off the ice yet again.

"The easiest thing to do is get down, we just have to keep supporting one another," Blues coach Mike Kitchen said.

The Blues took a 1-0 lead on Kevin Dallman's power play goal at 16:52 of the first period. Sakic tied it when he skated into the slot and fired a wrist shot past Bacashihua's glove at 16:30 of the second period, extending his points-scoring streak to 12 games.

Peter Budaj (14-10-6) got the win in his 13th straight start, earning himself one more before goaltender-in-waiting Jose Theodore makes his Colorado debut Tuesday night against Phoenix.

"Peter will start tomorrow. Jose will dress as the backup," Avs coach Joel Quenneville said. "We will take it day by day, but I would anticipate Jose starting on Tuesday. I thought Peter had a strong game the other night against San Jose, and he was strong tonight, too."