BUFFALO, N.Y. -- After netting the lone shootout goal in Colorado's 5-4 victory over Buffalo on Wednesday, Peter Mueller had difficulty digesting how quickly the Avalanche's fortunes turned.

Thanks to Jamie McGinn scoring with two seconds remaining in regulation and Colorado's near-perfect shootout record this season, the Avalanche went from losing ground in the Western Conference playoff hunt to vaulting out of a four-team logjam for eighth place.

"This is the biggest win of the year," Mueller said. "To go from zero points to getting two with seconds left, you don't make that stuff up. It just shows the character of this team in that we never quit."

McGinn, who scored twice, was equally pleased.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Just another Sunday night for Jamie McGinn -- help beat the Wild and leave Minnesota's arena with a boost in the Western Conference playoff race.

Last week turned out to be his final game with San Jose. Now he's adjusting to a fledgling Colorado team gaining confidence by the day.

McGinn got his first career two-goal game just 8:25 into the night, giving the Avalanche all the scoring they needed in a 2-0 victory over the Wild on Sunday.

The Avalanche moved into a tie for ninth place with Los Angeles, just one point behind San Jose. After a four-game winning streak -- scoring four or more goals in each of those contests -- they lost two in a row at home this week by a combined 7-1 margin, to last-place Columbus and streaking Pittsburgh.