The Edmonton Oilers got exactly what they needed today with a 7-5 win over the Colorado Avalanche, reports the Associated Press, as Edmonton's 11th win in 14 games moved the Oilers within three points of the Avalanche for the final playoff spot in the West. Sam Gagner had two goals for the Oilers, but Dustin Penner got things going with a goal 50 seconds into the game.
Colorado, which got goals from five different players, have lost all three games on their current road trip and have four straight overall. The Avalanche's Joe Sakic had an assist in the second period, the 1,000th of his career, making him the 11th player in NHL history to crack the mark. The Oilers led 3-0 early before the Avalanche tied it in the second period. (More NHL stories.)