Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak, front left, is congratulated after scoring against the Colorado Avalanche in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DENVER (AP) — Evan Bouchard scored with 6:55 left and the surging Edmonton Oilers overcame a three-goal deficit to beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 on Thursday night.
Edmonton, playing on the second night of a back-to-back, has won four in a row and eight of nine.
Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist, Viktor Arvidsson and Brett Kulak also scored and Stuart Skinner recovered from a shaky start to make 22 saves.
Logan O’Connor opened the scoring 5:17 into the game and Nathan MacKinnon scored twice as Colorado scored three times on its first five shots. Arvidsson scored in the final minute of the first and Kulak and McDavid had goals in the second to tie it.
Mackenzie Blackwood had 23 saves, several on great chances, for the Avalanche.
Takeaways
Oilers: Have been the hottest team in the league over the last two months and showed why when they rallied to tie it after giving up the first three goals. Edmonton played most of the second period in the offensive zone, which led to a pair of goals.
Avalanche: After coach Jared Bednar criticized his team as unimpressive in its overtime win against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night, Colorado responded with a strong first period until the final minute.
Key moment
Colorado picked up its play in the third period but the Oilers cashed in on one of their four shots in the frame to win it.
Key stat
Colorado has not scored on its last 16 power-play chances and converted just once on its last 21 opportunities. The Avalanche were 0 for 2 on Thursday.
Up next
The Oilers play at Vancouver on Saturday night to wrap up a stretch of seven of eight games on the road. The Avalanche continue their five-game homestand Saturday against Dallas.
Edmonton Oilers center Jeff Skinner, center, struggles to control the puck while driving to the net between Colorado Avalanche right wing Logan O'Connor, left, and defenseman Calvin de Haan in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Edmonton Oilers center Adam Henrique, right, passes the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Parker Kelly, left, defends in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman, center, puts a shot on Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood, right, after driving past center Nathan MacKinnon, left, and defenseman Josh Manson, back, in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)b
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, front, collects the puck as Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry pursues in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Keaton Middleton, front, looks to pass the puck as Edmonton Oilers center Mattias Janmark pursues in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry, center, looks to collect the puck as Colorado Avalanche center Casey Mittelstadt, left, and goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood defend in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Edmonton Oilers center Jeff Skinner, center, steals the puck from Colorado Avalanche defenseman Keaton Middleton, front, as goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood protects the net in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) passes the puck as Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) pursues in the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm, right, passes the puck as Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen defends in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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