Avalanche 4, Blues 0: Paul Stastny collected a power-play goal and two assists and Semyon Varlamov secured his 40th victory to match coach Patrick Roy for the franchise single-season record as visiting Colorado cruised to its sixth straight win.

Rookie Nathan MacKinnon scored and set up a goal while Varlamov finished with 31 saves for the Avalanche, who moved within five points of first-place St. Louis and three ahead of Chicago in the Central Division. Ryan O'Reilly converted a man-advantage chance and defenseman Nick Holden also tallied in Colorado's 50th win of the season.

Ryan Miller turned aside 25 shots as the Blues fell two points behind Boston in the race for the Presidents' Trophy. The Bruins posted a 5-2 triumph over Philadelphia earlier on Saturday.

Varlamov highlighted his 13th career shutout and second of the season by stopping 14 shots in the first period.

Stastny cleaned up the rebound of MacKinnon's shot from above the left faceoff circle 1:14 into the second to open the scoring. MacKinnon doubled the advantage over five minutes later by burying a long rebound following Jamie McGinn's sharp shot from the right circle. Colorado needed just over four minutes to claim a 3-0 lead as Holden alertly tapped home a loose puck on the doorstep.

GAME NOTEBOOK: MacKinnon's goal was his 24th of the season - and first since March 18. ... St. Louis D Barret Jackman returned from a one-game absence due to a lower-body injury, but LW Alex Steen sat out with an upper-body ailment. Steen was ruled as doubtful for Sunday's tilt versus Chicago, according to coach Ken Hitchcock. ... Miller fell to 1-4-3 lifetime versus the Avalanche.