Edmonton Oilers' Nail Yakupov (64), of Russia, celebrates his game-winning goal against the Phoenix Coyotes with teammates Taylor Hall (4) and Ryan Whitney (6)during overtime in an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Glendale, Ariz. The Oilers defeated the Coyotes 2-1 in overtime. Edmonton takes on the Avalanche in Denver on Saturday.Ross D. Franklin/The Associated Press
The Colorado Avalanche didn't put their best foot forward in their initial meeting with the Edmonton Oilers. Six days removed from their lackluster 4-1 loss, the Avalanche will look to put forth a better effort on Saturday when they open a season high-tying four-game homestand versus their Northwest Division rival. Colorado rebounded from its offensive struggles versus Edmonton to erupt for a 6-3 triumph against the other Alberta representative - the Calgary Flames - on Thursday.
The Oilers will wrap up a three-game road trip on the heels of a 3-2 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. Taylor Hall scored to extend his career-best point streak to seven games as the Oilers rallied from a two-goal deficit. Excitable top overall pick Nail Yakupov is riding a three-game point streak, which started with an empty-net goal against the Avalanche.
TV: 3 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet West (Edmonton), Altitude (Colorado)
ABOUT THE OILERS (4-2-1): Devyn Dubnyk, who made seven of his 36 saves in overtime on Thursday, will look to keep his good fortune going against the Avalanche. The 26-year-old made 23 of his 37 saves in the third period Monday to improve to 5-2-1 with a stingy 1.99 goals-against average versus Colorado. First-year coach Ralph Krueger has expressed confidence in Dubnyk, who has started every game this season for the Oilers.
ABOUT THE AVALANCHE (3-4-0): Paul Stastny finally got untracked on Thursday, registering his first two goals of the season. "I think Paul can hopefully relax a little bit now and just play his game." coach Joe Sacco said. "It was just a matter of time before Paul would get going. That's big for our team. We need Paul going offensively for us." PA Parenteau and John Mitchell also tallied twice as they maintained their 1-2 punch in goal-scoring for the Avalanche.
OVERTIME
1. Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog was placed on injured reserve Friday after missing his team's last three games with head and leg ailments. The reigning Calder Trophy winner is eligible to return as early as Monday.
2. Edmonton captain Shawn Horcoff missed Wednesday's game with a strained neck. Horcoff, who is listed as day-to-day, told the Edmonton Sun on Friday that he expects to play versus the Avalanche.
3. After a sizzling stretch during which they killed off 16 consecutive short-handed situations, the Avalanche have yielded eight power-play goals in their last 20 opportunities.
PREDICTION: Avalanche 3, Oilers 2