Joe Sakic's 600th goal came with little drama. That's OK, by Sakic. As long as it came with a victory.

Sakic scored twice, his second - and No. 600 in his career - into an empty net, and added three assists to lead the Colorado Avalanche to a 7-5 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night.

Sakic became the 17th player in NHL history to score 600 goals. Brendan Shanahan and Jaromir Jagr also reached 600 with the Rangers earlier this season.

"The opportunity was there and it's not something that you'd write up, but I'll take it any way I can," Sakic said. "The most important thing is getting the win.

"We needed it really bad."

Milan Hejduk had three goals for the Avalanche which has won two straight. Andrew Brunette added a goal and an assist while Brett Clark had the other.

Hejduk could only marvel at Sakic's latest accomplishment.

"For me, it's definitely a number that I'm never going to reach," Hejduk said. "For Joe, it's just another number in his great hockey career."

Colorado coach Joel Quenneville said it was only fitting that Sakic came up big in a game the Avalanche needed.

"Everything about Joe's contribution to our team tonight was special and it was probably our most exciting win of the year," Quenneville said. "Joe's tenacity and desire to win and elevate our team into a playoff position is what's foremost in his mind and this was a good example that you get rewarded when you do things like that."