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.

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.

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.

St. Louis allowed four goals in the first period, including two on Colorado power plays, digging themselves a massive hole as they tried to avoid their fourth straight loss.

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. Louis Blues 5-0 in Denver on Friday night.

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.