DENVER --Semyon Varlamov was playing so well even the Edmonton Oilers stopped to admire his effort.

The Colorado Avalanche appreciate it even more.

Varlamov had 39 saves to continue his strong play, right winger Jarome Iginla scored his first goal in nine games and the Avalanche beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 on Saturday night.

Defenseman Tyson Barrie had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche, who have won five straight. Left winger Blake Comeau, right winger Jack Skille and defenseman Nick Holden also scored for Colorado.

The Avalanche (17-16-1) are above .500 for the first time this season and have climbed out of an early slump to get back into the playoff picture.

"We've had a tough schedule and our players deserve a lot of credit," Colorado coach Patrick Roy said. "It's nice to see them rewarded."

Varlamov tied his career high with his sixth straight win. He has stopped 177 of 183 shots in his last five games and was vying for his second shutout in three games when Edmonton defenseman Andrej Sekera scored at 2:58 of the third period.

"Varly has been playing awesome and unbelievable," Iginla said. "In front of him, I think our confidence is growing."

Edmonton's frustration grew as Varlamov kept them off the scoreboard in the first two periods. The best chance came at the end of the period when he stuck out his right pad to deny left winger Taylor Hall on the doorstep.

"That was a pretty lucky bounce," Varlamov said. "The net was wide open and my only chance was to stretch my leg and he shot it into my leg."

Hall nearly slammed his stick but instead skated by Varlamov and tapped his pads as he headed to the locker room.

"The M.O. on Varlamov was to get the puck up and try to get it in the top half of the net," Hall said. "It seemed like a lot of our chances, we fed it into his pad, which is fine. It just didn't work out tonight."

After Sekera's goal, Iginla got one back with his ninth of the season and 598th of his career at 7:05. Iginla needs two more to become the 19th player in NHL history to reach 600.

"I was alone in front and I almost had too much time to think about it," Iginla said. "I tried to hesitate for a quick five-hole and it went in. The first couple periods you try not to get frustrated and to stay with it. It was good to see one finally go in."

Edmonton defenseman Brandon Davidson left the game with a rib injury early in the third period after Comeau checked him into the boards. Davidson was helped to the locker room.

"When he got cross-checked really hard in the ribs that hurts," Edmonton coach Todd McLellan said.

The Oilers went on the power play 54 seconds into the game, but Colorado cashed in when the puck bounced over defenseman Justin Schultz's stick at the Colorado blue line, Comeau picked it up and beat goalie Anders Nilsson at 1:12. It was Comeau's fifth goal of the season and the Avalanche's third short-handed goal this year.

"Initially I thought somebody mishandled it on the blue line, but it bounced over him and then it became a footrace that we kind of got pushed out of the way," McLellan said.

Edmonton carried the play for most of the first period, outshooting Colorado 13-9, but the Avalanche struck again late in the period when Barrie scored on the power play at 16:49. It was his fourth goal of the season.

The Oilers had more chances in the second period, but Holden's goal off the faceoff at 14:26 gave the Avalanche a 3-0 lead. It was his third of the season.

Twelve different Colorado players had a point in the win.

NOTES: Edmonton LW Benoit Pouliot returned to the lineup after missing eight games with hip injury. He had five goals and seven assists in 24 games before the injury. ... Avalanche D Brad Stuart has missed 19 games with a back injury. He has not played since Nov. 10 and there is no target date for his return. ... Oilers rookie C Connor McDavid has begun skating but there is no timetable set or his return. He has missed 22 games with a shoulder injury. ... Avalanche D Brandon Gormley and RW Chris Wagner were healthy scratches for the second straight game.