The Edmonton Oilers close out their final road trip of the regular season on Tuesday at Ball Arena against the reigning Stanley Cup champions the Colorado Avalanche.
You can watch the game on Sportsnet One or listen live on the Oilers Radio Network, including 630 CHED.
Subscribe to Oilers+ to unlock the Pre-Game Show that will begin at 7:00 p.m. MT, along with more exclusive live and behind-the-scenes content.

YOUR GAME-DAY ESSENTIALS

GAME DAY VIDEO
OILERS TODAY | Pre-Game vs. COL
PRE-GAME RAW | Coach Woodcroft
PRE-GAME RAW | Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
RECENT VIDEOS
PRACTICE | Colorado Confidence
RAW | Coach Woodcroft 04.10.23
RAW | Stuart Skinner 04.10.23
BY THE NUMBERS
Oilers Statistics
Avalanche Statistics
Stats Comparison
Game Notes
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BLOG: Oilers to test playoff mettle in Denver
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VIEWING INFORMATION
You can watch Tuesday's game on Sportsnet One at 7:30 PM MT.

INSIDE THE OILERS

News and notes from Oilers practice in Denver on Monday, where the Oilers are gearing up to test their playoff mettle against the Stanley Cup champions.
>> READ MORE IN THE INSIDE THE OILERS BLOG

PRE-GAME REPORT

DENVER, CO - Tuesday night's game in Denver will feature be a clash between the Western Conferences two hottest, and arguably best teams.
The Oilers enter tonight's game on quite the roll, with the NHL's best record over the last three months and a 13-game point streak in their rear view. Their opponents are the defending Stanley Cup champions and have been on a tear of their own. Colorado won only 20 of their first 40 games of the season, since then they have won 29 of their last 39 to find themselves just three points out of the conference lead heading into tonight's action.
Last year's Western Conference Final opponents have gone to overtime in both early season matchups, so expect another tightly contested matchup at Ball Arena tonight.
"Obviously, they're a fast team, you can't give them anything easy," Ryan Nugent-Hopkins said after morning skate. "I think last game we probably kind of played into their hands a little bit too much and I definitely think that if we keep it simple and just kind of play our game, that's where we'll have the most success against this team. But obviously, they have a lot of skill, and they play a fast game, so you just can't give them any easy opportunities."
The Oilers held at least a two-goal lead in both of the prior games between the powerhouses, but the Avalanche were able to battle back on both occasions and win in the 3-on-3 period.
"Well, we got two out of possible four points for me, the game deciding goal in both games is at three-on-three, which is a unique situation," Head Coach Jay Woodcroft said. "I thought were in position in both games to win the game, and we expect nothing less. They're a top hockey team here in the National Hockey League. They're the defending champs for a reason. I think teams like this typically bring out the best in our team, so I'm looking forward to see what we bring tonight."
In the last matchup between the two sides, 11 goals were scored in a loose and high scoring 6-5 OT victory for the Avalanche. However, the Oilers squad that will faceoff with the Avalanche on Tuesday night is a little different than the one that was unable to hold on to both a 3-0 and 5-3 lead back in Denver on Feb. 19. This Oilers lineup features a fair bit more size and snarl, with Evander Kane, Mattias Ekholm, Vincent Desharnais, and Nick Bjugstad all not in the lineup or on the roster for that game.
The Oilers have added a little more rigidity to their defensive structure, so another 11-goal game seems unlikely. It's been a month since the Oilers have allowed more than four-goals against in a game and the newly stingy Blue & Orange have only allowed three pucks to tickle their twine in the last five game.
"I mean it's a good sign and it's a good test for us to be able to do that tonight against these guys," Nugent-Hopkins said. "I think it does start with our simplicity through the neutral zone, putting puck in, and kind of building our forecheck. You don't want to give up any good opportunities through the neutral zone and then our D are playing really solid, not giving up anything easy for guys in zone. And obviously, when stuff breaks down, you need goalies to make saves and that's exactly what's been happening."
Edmonton needs the two points tonight if they hope to surpass the Vegas Golden Knights for the top spot in the Western Conference prior to Game 83. However, it could be nice to send a message to the Avalanche -- a team that the Oilers could likely have to face in the latter rounds of the postseason - with a victory in Denver.
"I don't look at it like that. I look at it like there's two points on the table tonight and it's important for our team to find a win," Woodcroft said. "There's a lot at stake. There's jockeying for position throughout the Western Conference right now, and both teams have something to play for. Both will be well prepared and rested, and so it should be for the makings of a good hockey game tonight."

GAME 800 FOR NUGE

Another game, another milestone checked off for an Oilers player.
Fresh off the first 100-point season of his career, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will play in his 800th NHL game on Tuesday against Colorado. The 12-year veteran has spent his entire career in the Blue & Orange and has gone through the highs-and-lows associated with the team over that time.
With the Oilers playing as well as they ever have during Nugent-Hopkins' tenure, there can be brief moments of reflection in between the hard work and preparation for a playoff run.
"I mean, it's hard not to kind of flashback to start the career and just kind of a journey it's been," Nugent-Hopkins said. "But definitely hard to believe it's 800 and been lucky to be a part of this group the whole time."
The first-overall pick made his debut for the Oilers all the way back on Oct. 9, 2011, at Rexall Place against an in-their-prime Pittsburgh Penguins squad. The former Red Deer Rebel did not disappoint the anticipatory Oil Country, scoring his first NHL goal with 4:55 left in the game to send the contest to the shootout.
"Game one is obviously a good memory playing against Pittsburgh," Nugent-Hopkins said. "Some legends to go up against in your first game and we tied it up kind of late in the game to make it 1-1 and then I think Hemmer scored the shootout winner, so yeah, it was pretty exciting. The atmosphere was pretty crazy, and we had a lot of fun getting to 800."
The teammates have come-and-gone over the years for the soon to be 30-year-old, but Nugent-Hopkins has been the lone constant for the Oilers as they've gone from winning draft lotteries to playoff games. He is now surrounded by a cadre of superstars and other outstanding players, who all have their own serious NHL credentials.
The Oilers final game of the regular season will also be the 500th NHL game for both Zach Hyman and Derek Ryan. Two players who followed a much less heralded path than the 2011 first-overall pick, but a moment that gets celebrated in the Oilers locker room all the same.
The players will typically tell you they don't matter much, but over the last week you can see the Oilers rally around moments like Nugent-Hopkins 100th point or Jason Demers 700th game. With all the success this current Edmonton squad is having, these little milestones become easier to celebrate.
"I think when guys hit stuff and you get excited for them and the whole group kind of rallies behind them," Nugent-Hopkins said. "So, I think it's kind of fun to hit different individual stuff while you're having success as a team."
-- Michael Arcuri, EdmontonOilers.com

PREVIEW

OILERS vs. AVALANCHE
WATCH: 7:30 p.m. MT; televised on Sportsnet One
Oilers Team Scope
Captain Connor McDavid recorded his 150th point of the season and 63rd goal with the game-winner inside the second period of Saturday's 6-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks, ultimately clinching the Oilers two massive points in their chase to overtake the Vegas Golden Knights for first in the Pacific Division.
McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins both had three-point afternoons for the Oilers, who've won seven straight games and are averaging 1.57 goals against over their winning streak, including only three goals against in their last five games.
The Oilers are 27-5-6 in 38 games since a 6-3 defeat to the Kings on Jan. 9 and haven't lost in regulation since a 7-4 loss to Maple Leafs on Mar. 11 as the best team in the NHL over the past month with a 13-game point streak (12-0-1).
"I think that's a positive sign for our team," Head Coach Jay Woodcroft said. "We've continuously worked on (the defence) throughout the season. I think specifically post-Christmas... the goals against have been way down. I think it's a credit to everybody. Our goaltenders have played excellent, our D have played great, and our forwards are really committed to working back to our zone."
With two regular-season games remaining, the Oilers next test toward chasing down Vegas for top spot in the Pacific Division comes against the reigning Cup champions in the Avalanche, who helped Edmonton claim home-ice advantage in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday by defeating the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 at Crypto.com Arena.
"I think that's a positive sign, but that's all in the past," Woodcroft continued on Edmonton's recent success. "We're about to play one of the best offensive teams in the world tomorrow and we're going to get tested in different ways. We better be ready for it."

Avalanche Team Scope
Three unanswered power-play goals for the Avalanche in the final eight minutes plus overtime of their 5-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday avoided a potentially disastrous loss for the reigning Cup champions.
Mikko Rantanen added his team-leading 54th of the season with the man advantage at 12:09 of the final frame before Nathan MacKinnon scored on their next power-play opportunity with a one-timer from the left circle in the final five minutes that tied the game at 4-4 and set up overtime.
A soft interference penalty on Frank Vatrano in extra time sent Colorado back to the power play, where MacKinnon scored in on a similar one-time from the left circle in the final minute of overtime to claim two important points for the Avalanche in the race for first place in the Central Division.
"Super proud of our club," MacKinnon said. "The boys are grinding hard all season long. We're back in first in our division now after a really tough season. We've been in [Stanley Cup] Playoff mode for a couple months now."
The Avalanche are one of the NHL's top clubs next to the Oilers over the last few months dating back to the start of 2023, going 29-7-3 over their last 39 games after starting the season 20-17-3 -- four points back of the Oilers for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference on Jan. 12 after dropping their seventh loss in eight games 3-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Central is just as packed as the Pacific, with Colorado sitting atop the division with 104 points and three games remaining ahead of the Dallas Stars (104) and Minnesota Wild (102), who both have one extra game played. The Avalanche can control their own destiny by winning their three remaining games against Edmonton, Winnipeg (Thursday) and Nashville (Friday, but will be hard-pressed over the final week for holding their favourable position.
Colorado battled injuries early in the season and was one the upward trend when it came to getting healthy for the playoffs until a number of bodies recently returned to the shelf, including Cale Makar, who's missed four games with a lower-body issue. Bowen Byram has missed the last three due to illness, while defenceman Josh Manson has been out since late February.

By The Numbers
The Oilers 13-game point streak is tied for their third-longest in franchise history... The Oilers have won six straight road games outscoring opponents 30-15... The Oilers look to win seven straight road games for just the fourth time in franchise history... The Avalanche have won 10 consecutive road games, setting a Colorado record. … MacKinnon has 107 points and Rantanen has 102, becoming the first Colorado teammates to reach the 100-point mark since Sakic (120) and Peter Forsberg (116) in 1995-96...
McDavid needs one goal to tie Alex Ovechkin for the most goals in a season in the Salary Cap era... McDavid is on pace to record 155 points this season... That would tie Steve Yzerman for the most in a single-season all-time by a player not named Wayne Gretzky or Mario Lemieux... McDavid has 27 points (10G, 17A) during a 14-game point streak...Mikko Rantanen scored a pair of goals on Sunday to give him 54 on the season... His 54 goals are tied with Joe Sakic for the most by an Avalanche player and thre goals shy of the franchise record... MacKinnon has 350 shots on goal this season, averaging 5.1 shots on goal per game this season...
The Oilers are 87-for-268 (32.5 percent) on the power play this season... They need one power play goal to tie a single-season franchise-best of 88 power play goals... The Oilers currently have the highest PP% in a season since tracked in 1977-78 with two games remaining... The 2019-20 Oilers currently have the 5th best PP% at 29.5...
Injury Report
OILERS - Oscar Klefbom (shoulder) is on IR; Mike Smith (undisclosed) is on IR;
Ryan Murray
(undisclosed) is on IR;
Ryan McLeod
(upper body) is on IR; Cody Ceci (personal) is day-to-day.
AVALANCHE - Bowen Byram (illness) is day-to-day; Cale Makar (lower body) is day-to-day), Darren Helm (lower body) is day-to-day; Artturi Lehkonen (fractured finger) is on IR; Josh Manson (lower body) is day-to-day; Gabriel Landeskog (knee) is on IR.
-- Jamie Umbach, EdmontonOilers.com