Milan Hejduk had two goals and an assist, and Peter Budaj _ recovered from swine flu _ stopped 28 shots in his first start of the season, leading the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-1 victoruy over the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday night.

Marek Svatos also scored a goal, David Jones added an empty netter, and Paul Stastny had with three assists. The Avalanche snapped a two-game skid to remain on top of the Western Conference standings and tie Pittsburgh for the overall lead.

Colorado also improved to 5-0 at the Pepsi Center, one win away from tying its best home start since moving to the Mile High City.

Budaj was brilliant in goal, allowing only Ed Jovanovski's power-play goal midway through the third period.