Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon extended Colorado’s lead in its Western Conference showdown against the Oilers with two first-period goals in rapid succession.

Nathan MacKinnon is good for at least a handful of highlight-reel goals each season. His second tally in Thursday’s first period at Ball Arena was exactly that.

Thursday night’s high-powered showdown between the star-laden offenses of the Avalanche and Oilers, featuring the league’s past two Hart Memorial Trophy winners, lived up to its

Leon Draisaitl chipped in two assists, and Stuart Skinner made 22 saves ... The loss spoiled a two-goal night for Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon. Logan O'Connor also scored and Blackwood turned ...

Leon Draisaitl had two assists, and Stuart Skinner made 22 saves. It was Edmonton’s first three-goal comeback win since Nov. 26, 2022, a 4-3 win at the New York Rangers. Nathan MacKinnon scored ...

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 ...

NHL trade deadline is over a month away, with plenty of time for big moves, yet we’ve already seen a splash that can’t be topped. The Colorado Avalanche traded superstar winger Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes for Martin Necas in a move that will have massive ramifications this season and for years to come.

Draisaitl leads the league with 35 goals, while his 75 points on the year have him closing in on the only player with more, Nathan Mackinnon of the Colorado Avalanche (77). The fact he’s not even considered the Oilers’ best player is icing on Edmonton’s cake.

The West has six teams with a chance to win the Stanley Cup north of 2.5 percent. These are each team’s signature strengths and fatal flaws.

The Edmonton Oilers went 2-1-0 in three games last week, improving to 31-15-3 on the season. With their win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday afternoon, they claimed the top spot in the Pacific Division for the first time in five years.

The Edmonton Oilers wake up this Sunday morning in First Place in the Pacific Division, and third overall in the NHL. The Oilers went 2-1 with Connor McDavid out due to suspension and have been 25-8-2 since November 9 th. How different will the Oilers look when Connor is back is not the question. How officials will look at him…is.

Slow and steady wins the race, or in this case, first place in the Pacific Division on January 26th. It ain’t much, but it’s honest work — and these Edmonton Oilers have put it in.