Colorado Avalanche Final Score: Brian Elliott Loses In Avalanche Debut

Even with new faces around, it's been more of the same for the Colorado Avalanche: shaky goaltending and poor defense leading to losses. In his first game in net for the Avalanche, recently-acquired Brian Elliott allowed all the goals in a 5-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. He faced 31 shots. Erik Johnson made his debut in front of his new home crowd and spent 26:29 on the ice, a team-high.

Outside of Milan Hejduk's power play goal in the second period, there wasn't much going on for the Avalanche in the game. Edmonton's Dustin Penner had a power play goal in the first, and Taylor Hall had one in the second period. Sam Gagner had the other Edmonton goal of the second period. In the third, the score got out of hand with Jordan Eberle and Kurtis Foster scoring goals in a two-minute time frame.

Devan Dubnyk was a wall in net for Edmonton, stopping 38 of 39 shots.

The Avalanche (26-28-7, 59 points) have not won consecutive games since the middle of January. Since then, they have dropped 13 of their last 15 games. They are off until Saturday, when they host the Los Angeles Kings at 2:00 p.m. MT.

Avalanche Vs. Oilers: Erik Johnson Debuts In Denver

What a difference a day makes! After being mired in the NHL's longest winless streak, the Colorado Avalanche broke out in a big way against the St. Louis Blues. Goalie Peter Budaj gave one of his best performances of the season, Paul Stastny broke out of an extended slump with the game-winning goal and two assists, and perennial trade target John-Michael Liles added two assists.

But the hero of the game was newly acquired defenseman Erik Johnson, who made a spectacular move against his former club and used a splendid wrist shot to break the 2-2 tie midway through the third period.

Now that Colorado has finally beat their winless streak, it's time to make it two victories in a row, and the conditions are ripe. The cellar-dwelling Edmonton Oilers come to Pepsi Center and will face off against the Avalanche in Erik Johnson's home debut. Edmonton has actually won three of their last four games in dominating fashion, with Ales Hemsky and rookie Taylor Hall leading the way offensively.

It's becoming crunch time for Colorado. They have a (very) slim chance at making the playoffs, but they need to win games in bunches until the end of the season, With very few home games left, a home loss to the Oilers would be inexcusable. Tonight sets the tone for the remainder of the season. Win, and you have some momentum. Lose, and you are playing for a higher draft pick come June.

Newly acquired goalie Brian Elliott has finally resolved his immigration issues and will get his first start in goal for Colorado. Devan Dubnyk will get the start for Edmonton.

Puck drops at Pepsi Center at 7:30 p.m. MST.