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Stastny, red-hot Avalanche host Oilers

Nov 7, 2007 - 2:29 PM Edmonton (5-10-0) at Colorado (9-5-0) 9:00 pm EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- Paul Stastny hopes to keep the Colorado Avalanche rolling when they host the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in a battle of Northwest Division foes.

The Avalanche have won five of their last six contests and have moved within two points of the division-leading Minnesota Wild (9-4-2).

The 21-year-old Stastny has not faltered under the pressure of a sophomore slump, notching seven goals and 19 points in 14 games.

Stastny scored two goals in the Avalanche's previous contest, a 4-1 triumph over the Calgary Flames on Monday.

Colorado captain Joe Sakic is on an eight-game point streak, collecting one goal and 10 assists during that span. The 38-year-old Sakic has had a lot of success against Edmonton in his career, recording 34 points and 89 points in 76 games against the division rival.

The Oilers, on the other hand, are looking to put an end to a miserable stretch, which has resulted in them falling to the cellar of the division standings. They have lost four their last five games and, possibly more important, are still without defenseman Sheldon Souray.

Souray, who was the prize acquisition for Edmonton in the offseason, has played just six games this season and has been out of the lineup since October 13.

After recording career-highs of 26 goals and 64 points with the Montreal Canadiens last season, the 31-year-old Souray has managed just one goal and one assist with his new club.

The biggest positive for Edmonton this season has been the play of Shawn Horcoff, who leads the team with five goals and eight assists.