Blues play well, lose in overtime

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Joe Sakic scored a power-play goal 57 seconds into overtime to give the Colorado Avalanche a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night.

With Christian Backman in the penalty box, Sakic one-timed Rob Blake's pass past Patrick Lalime for his 28th goal of the season. Sakic has six goals and five assists in his last six games.

Colorado improved to 6-7 in overtime.

The Avalanche now trail idle Calgary by just one point for the Northwest Division lead.

The Blues have lost six straight games. It was the Blues eighth overtime game in their last 10 at home.

The Blues grabbed a 1-0 lead with just 1:28 remaining in the first period. Scott Young one-timed a Dean McAmmond pass from the left point to beat Peter Budaj. Young's 17th goal came on the power-play.

Colorado failed to score on an extended power play midway through the first after Steve Poapst was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for boarding Cody McCormick.

Peter Cajanek made it 2-0 with his ninth goal of the season at 5:05 of the second on the power-play. With Sakic in the penalty box for holding, Cajanek's centering pass for Keith Tkachuk hit defenseman Patrick Brisebois in the skate and the puck skipped past Budaj.

Colorado answered five minutes later when Pierre Turgeon scored his 14th goal at 10:12. With Cajanek in the penalty box for hooking, Lalime couldn't handle Sakic's initial shot from the left point, and Turgeon jammed home the rebound.

Jim Dowd tied the game 2-2 with the Avalanche shorthanded. Dowd scored his fourth goal with just under three minutes to play in the second.

Lalime made 28 saves. His last win was March 13 against Columbus. Budaj stopped 26 of 28 shots.