Oilers' tank to be tested by travel, high-octane Avalanche

The Edmonton Oilers haven't enjoyed home cooking for a while, and it will be a few more days before they unpack their bags.

In the midst of playing seven of eight games on the road, the sixth is Thursday night when the Oilers visit the Colorado Avalanche in Denver.

The degree of difficulty increases Thursday in the second half of back-to-back games for the Oilers. Edmonton posted a 5-3 win at the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night.

"The schedule has been tight, lots of games, lots of travel. You have to find a way to win those games," Leon Draisaitl said.

Despite the miles traveled, the Oilers have played well. They've won three in a row and seven of eight to surge into second place in the Pacific Division.

"It's been a busy stretch here, a lot of travelling around, a quick little pit stop here and back out on the road. A big couple of games coming up," Edmonton captain Connor McDavid said. "I like how we're playing. We'll be fine."

Thursday's game will feature the top two scorers in the NHL and four of the top five. Colorado center Nathan MacKinnon leads the league in points with 70 (15 goals, 55 assists) and Draisaitl is second with 65 points (31 goals, 34 assists).

McDavid had two goals and an assist in the win at Minnesota and passed Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen for fourth place with 62 points. McDavid has 19 goals and 43 assists, while Rantanen leads Colorado with 25 goals to go along with 36 assists.

The Avalanche will be looking for a little revenge Thursday night. Edmonton recorded a 4-1 win in Denver on Nov. 30.

Alexandar Georgiev was in net for Colorado that night. A few days later, he was traded to San Jose for Mackenzie Blackwood, who has entrenched himself as the No. 1 goaltender for the Avalanche.

Blackwood is 9-2-1 with a 1.68 goals-against average and .938 save percentage in 12 games (11 starts) since coming to Colorado in early December. He denied a few breakaways among his 27 saves in Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win against the New York Rangers.

"We probably gave up 12 grade-A scoring chances and for him to only give up two goals is extremely impressive," said Devon Toews, whose goal won it in overtime. "Kudos to him for keeping us in it."

Blackwood's 1.68 goals-against average in his 12 games with the Avalanche is nearly two full goals better than what Georgiev (3.38) had in his 18 games in Colorado.

Scott Wedgewood, who was acquired just before Blackwood, has been almost as sharp as the backup. He is 4-2-0 with a 2.35 goals-against average in seven games but hasn't played since injuring his ankle against Buffalo two weeks ago.

He has been activated off the injured list and could get the start Thursday night.

The Oilers likely will have Stuart Skinner in net after former Avalanche netminder Calvin Pickard had 32 saves in the win over the Wild.

--Field Level Media