Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche took a 2-0 series lead in the Western Conference Finals on Thursday night after shutting out the Edmonton Oilers, 4-0.

"Just sitting in the right spot all night and made most of the saves look easy." "I was looking at one person. "I was just happy. Kadri ended up tying the franchise record for assists in a period. MacKinnon also got smacked in the face on a play. The relentless pressure included a trip by Duncan Keith after the whistle. "Definitely a confidence booster," Kadri said. "We’re certainly not counting ourselves out of this one," Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie said. "We'll see," Bednar said. They’ve got good D-men," McDavid said. Artturi Lehkonen and Josh Manson scored 15 seconds apart to get things going in the second, with Mikko Rantanen adding another on Kadri’s third assist. "It was better when they were shouting, ‘Go, Avs, Go!’ or ‘Let’s go Avs!.’"

DENVER — A common parlor game this time of year is to look at the last four teams standing in the Stanley Cup playoffs and try to figure out what all the ...

Now the Blackhawks have a (so far) third-line center in Dach, no first-round pick this year (it would have been No. 6), essentially no first-round pick last year (they moved down from 12 to 32, a massive drop-off that cost them Cole Sillinger), and a mission to tank for a slim chance to land Connor Bedard — the next supposed sure thing — in next year’s draft. Unlike in 2006 and 2007, the Blackhawks squandered a massive opportunity, and they’re looking at years of pain as a result. The Sabres got a star in Jack Eichel, but Reinhart (No. 2), Alex Nylander (No. 8) and Casey Mittelstadt (No. 8) were not the superstars Buffalo needed them to be, and Eichel couldn’t do it all by himself. And given the tepid enthusiasm about this year’s draft class, the Canadiens, Devils, Coyotes, Kraken and Flyers have to be at least a little concerned that a full season of misery might not pay off the way they hoped. And every time a top-five or top-10 pick doesn’t turn into a transformational player, it can be a crippling blow to a team’s hopes of ever drafting at the end of the first round instead. And yes, pulling a goalie like Igor Shesterkin out of the fourth round can make up for the likes of Alexis Lafrenière (No. 1 in 2020) and Kaapo Kakko (No. 2 in 2019) not being the instant generational talents the Rangers had hoped they’d be. It took McDavid and Draisaitl reaching heights few players have ever reached to put the Oilers back in the mix. Taylor Hall never realized his full potential in Edmonton, eventually winning a Hart Trophy with the Devils before receding back into the realm of Pretty Good. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been a solid, complementary piece for the Oilers for a decade now, but he’s never been a point-a-game player, never been a true No. 1 center. These days, you can look at Toronto, which has yet to win a playoff round but has become a perennial power thanks to taking William Nylander (No. 8), Mitch Marner (No. 4) and Auston Matthews (No. 1) in consecutive drafts. As a direct consequence of those swings and misses, the Oilers made the playoffs just once between 2010 and 2021. The Penguins and Blackhawks told everybody that speed and skill were the way to go. Just as players try to steal moves and ideas and styles from the best, teams should always be trying to learn from their betters.

Darnell Nurse is clearly playing hurt, but if the Edmonton Oilers want to salvage their Western Conference Final against the Colorado Avalanche, ...

A lot has to go right for the Oilers to find their way back in this series. When he was out there, nearly 70 per cent of the expected goals were against Edmonton. In Game 2, his expected goals percentage went from roughly 30 per cent to around 35 per cent, meaning that when he’s been on the ice at even strength in this series, there’s been about a 65-70 per cent chance that the next goal scored is going to be for Colorado. (For contrast, the Avalanche’s top D-man, Cale Makar, has been at 62 per cent and 80 per cent while facing Connor McDavid’s line.) This is the thing about playing with injury: guys do everything conceivable to get themselves out on the rink and playing, and so to our eye, they look like they do on days they do great things. When the Leafs came out in Game 1 against the Lightning and sent them reeling with a 5-0 beatdown, the Bolts could’ve been shook. Maybe I’m making a comparison that’s unfair to Nurse here, given the guys I’m discussing are the literal best players in the world at their position. And it’s definitely unfair to ask elite play from a guy who’s hurt. Like a teacher going back at the same student for answers because they see potential, this isn’t meant to pick on him so much as to highlight how effective he can be, and how he’s struggled against the Avs so far (and even before that). When the Rangers were down 3-1 versus the Penguins, the next three games saw Adam Fox pile up six points en route to a comeback. Yes, there are years that teams have found a way in the absence of one (the Penguins did win with Kris Letang injured), but those are the rare exceptions that come with most rules. In Game 1, he led the Oilers’ D in 5-on-5 ice time with over 20 minutes, and in that time, he threw two hits and took none, blocked one shot, and found a second assist on one of his team’s six goals. The most important caveat here is that let’s be honest, the man is hurt. A) Duncan Keith, a sure-fire Hall-of-Famer and a name more than worthy of being included with Hedman, Doughty, Chara, etc.

Colorado Avalanche had a great defensive outing and beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Game 2 is Friday night in the Big Apple with the puck dropping at 6:00 PM MT on ESPN. In the first two games of the Western Conference Finals, Colorado has doubled up the Oilers 12-6. The Avalanche outshot the Oilers 40-24 and had 35 hits and held Edmonton to 32.

The Oilers are back home for game three of the NHL's Western Conference Final Saturday night and keen to show fans they can overcome the Avalanche.

You have to make sure it goes all the way. You can’t have those little turnovers, even tops of the circles. It looks bleak for the Oilers, but Ryan Nugent-Hopkins believes the team knows how to recover. “You have to gain lines. The Oilers fell behind and were beaten 8-6 in game one. The Avs dominated game two and won 4-0.

On a night when Colorado had to go with back-up Pavel Francouz in the crease because starter Darcy Kuemper was sitting out with an injury, the Avalanche turned ...

We have to find a way to create off the forecheck and off O-zone play. “They have good players and good D-men,” said McDavid. “We haven’t had a ton of chances off the rush. If the Oilers manage that Saturday, we’ve got a series. We’ll go back to the drawing board and we’re prepared to regroup and head home to friendly confines in Edmonton.” Right from the first seconds I knew they were going to help me a lot. Sometimes the better team simply does what it takes to win and you have to tip your cap to them.

The Edmonton Oilers hope to rally with their 'La Bamba' mojo when they return to Rogers Place for Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the ...

"And he knows that after every win they play that at Rogers Place and they play it in the dressing room, too. "They often try to get him to say that but he usually only says it after the Oilers win. But he laughs every time, wherever we go and someone asks him to say it." "I had been hanging out with Joey for a long time, long before he was the most famous person in Edmonton and didn't even know it. "Getting it into the dressing room … I believe it's only been regularly in the dressing room the last few years. It was his favorite tune, and when Moss, who was born with Down syndrome, died at age 57 on October 26, 2020, Edmonton decided to keep the music playing, expanding it and making the song part of the Rogers Place experience after each victory.

Colorado Avalanche notes for Friday, after a Game 2 shutout victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Western Conference finals.

- I really hope I get to meet Ben Stelter up in Edmonton. If you don’t know his story,click here. - There is no further word on the status of Andre Burakovsky, but he was seen limping pretty bad yesterday. - I like what Nicolas Aube-Kubel brought to the table last night. - Colorado Hockey Now will be in Edmonton (via Calgary). I’ll be there and colleague Kelsey Hammond will also be there. This trip was NOT cheap (it’s ridiculous, some of the price gouging going on in the travel industry right now – looking at you, rental car companies and airlines), so thanks for helping make it easier with someAvs Travel Tip Jardonations. The Tip Jar is still open if you want to chip in ( link here). Thank you to the following people with recent donations: Brickhouse Creative, Matthew Getzelman, Myles Edwards. A reporter on hand asked, right at the end of Bednar’s availability, “how’s Darcy doing?”

The Edmonton Oilers aren't going to simply up their skating game, fire up some free-wheeling, firewagon hockey and outscore the Colorado Avalanche in Games 3 ...

There is only one way this Oilers team won’t score, and that is if they never have the puck — as was the case in the last 40 minutes of Game 2, where the Oilers had 11 shots on goal. “We have individuals that have more to give, and as a team, our team game can be a lot more sound than it has been,” said Woodcroft. “I don't feel yet that we’ve played a full 60 minutes. The Avs play fast hockey better than the Oilers play fast hockey, so it is up to Edmonton to slow this series down. All of that has flipped now, with Colorado stronger in every area. Make no mistake — Game 2 wasn’t lost in two minutes and four seconds, when Colorado scored three times. To beat Nathan MacKinnon and Nazem Kadri — the best two centremen in this series thus far — over 200 feet. We've had good spurts, good periods, but we haven't played a full 60 minutes yet. The Avs and Oilers are both cats, but one is a lion and the other a lynx. On defence, they are both more skilled and quicker. The Oilers, who beat Calgary in a series that averaged out at 5-4 every night, were the faster team with the better centres and a defence that moved the puck better than the Flames’ back end. The Avs were the better team for the final 40 minutes, and have won four of six periods played so far in this series. Really, really quick.”

DENVER (AP) — The stat sheet won't reflect this: Colorado Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic actually had a pair of assists on those two goals scored in a ...

“But you also need those (others) contributing and taking some of the pressure off of them.” Sakic prefers to work outside the spotlight and go about his business of building a winner. But it’s all coming together as the Avs advanced to their first conference finals since his playing days in 2002. Sakic has steadily built this squad into a mirror image of the championship teams the Hall of Famer played on with Colorado — fast-flying forwards and dynamic defensemen who are capable of playing any style necessary. On top of Sakic's recent deadline deals, there have been his offseason maneuverings. Or Manson, the defenseman acquired from Anaheim who scored the OT winner to open the St. Louis series.

The Edmonton Oilers cannot afford to go down 3-0 to the Avalanche in the Western Conference Final. How does that impact the game props market on Saturday?

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Colorado Avalanche (56-19-7, first in the Central Division) vs. Edmonton Oilers (49-27-6, second in the Pacific Division) Edmonton, Alberta; Saturday, ...

BOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Avalanche visit the Edmonton Oilers in the third round of the NHL Playoffs with a 2-0 lead in the series. The Avalanche won 4-0 in the previous matchup. Nathan MacKinnon has 32 goals and 56 assists for the Avalanche. Gabriel Landeskog has six goals and six assists over the past 10 games. The Avalanche have scored 308 total goals (3.8 per game) to rank fourth in NHL play. Edmonton Oilers (49-27-6, second in the Pacific Division) Colorado Avalanche (56-19-7, first in the Central Division) vs.

Colorado Avalanche travel journal by Kelsey Hammond, on way to Edmonton for Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference finals.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks for the Avs Travel Tip Jar donations to help fund all this. I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am headed up North to assist Adrian in covering Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference Finals. I heard it gets crazy up there so he’s bringing in the strong arm. I love talking hockey with people and I especially love talking Avs hockey. I already knew Avs Faithful were top in the league. I started this side gig in November of 2021 with the expectations of gaining experience, meeting some new hockey people and putting my journalism degree to use.

Winning four of the next five games is a tough ask for the Edmonton Oilers. Now behind 2-0 to the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference finals, ...

During the playoffs, the Oilers have loved using a set play where Hyman perches himself on the far post, and a teammate whips the puck at him and he tries to jam it in. The Avalanche have been at their most vulnerable when they have had to battle in the low slot, an area where Hyman makes his paycheck. However, as the numbers reveal, the Oilers control play more at home, which likely signals more opportunity to draw penalties, and that could yield a point or two. While the Avs’ away-from-home advanced stats and undefeated record on the road are terrifying to bet against, I think Woodcroft and the Oilers will make the necessary adjustments and get a needed lift from Connor McDavid, who has been mostly stymied in this series thus far. In the first two games, the Oilers only had two power-play opportunities, whereas the Avalanche had seven chances with the man advantage just in Game 2. I’m anticipating Woodcroft to have a few crafty set plays with McDavid on the ice to free him into positions where he can create. Think of the J.T. Compher and Andrew Cogliano goals in Game 1. In general, Edmonton’s play up the boards is not working, with the Oilers’ outlet either getting squished or a meek chip leading to a quick Avs’ re-entry. But it is important to acknowledge how good the Oilers have been under coach Jay Woodcroft. The Oilers’ failure on breakouts has been crippling in this series, partly because the Avalanche bear down quickly. Once Woodcroft took over head coaching duties in February, the Oilers won 26 of the remaining 38 games of the regular season. But it is important to acknowledge how good the Oilers have been under coach Jay Woodcroft.

The dust has all but settled on a tough two games in Colorado. The series now turns back to Edmonton, where the Oilers face a 2-0 defecit.

This is one of the best Oilers teams we’ve seen in a very long time, so anything can happen. The series now turns back to Edmonton, where the Oilers face a 2-0 defecit. - The Day After: Changes are needed as the Oilers head back to Edmonton down 2-0 to the Avs

A victory in Game 3 on Saturday at Rogers Place will get the Avalanche just one win shy of advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.

Rantanen has built chemistry with center Nazem Kadri and fellow Finn Artturi Lehkonen. That second line — which started Game 2 — has become as dangerous as the first trio of MacKinnon, Gabe Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin. His ice time has risen from 18:52 to 19:25 in Games 5-6 vs St. Louis, to 20:09 in Game 1 against the Oilers. He’s playing more because he’s earned the coaching staff’s trust. Thanks mostly to the play of Colorado defensemen — particularly Devon Toews and Cale Makar — Leon Draisaitl had just three shots and Connor McDavid and Evander Kane two apiece.

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers might've been the best performance as a team for the Avs. From ...

Even when he entered in Games 3 and 4 against the Nashville Predators, he was solid. Safe to say, considering the reactions on Twitter and in the arena before and after the game that it worked out well. There was a little scare when he came out of the crease to the blue line to play the puck but even stopped it then at the circles. It has been reported since that he had blurriness in his eye, including fluid coming out from his eye, and couldn’t see the puck. This was even through some losses in the team. It forced back-up Pavel Francouz to come into the rest of Game 1 and eventually start in Game 2 last night.

The Colorado Avalanche look to extend their best-of-seven series lead over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final as the series shifts ...

Rantanen buried his third goal of the playoffs and his second goal in as many games... Manson scored his second goal of the postseason... Lehkonen scored his fifth goal of the playoffs and second game-winning goal which is tied with Andrew Cogliano for the team lead... The Avalanche squad is heading to Edmonton with a 2-0 series lead after shutting out the Oilers 4-0 in Game 3. Nicolas Aube-Kubel returned to the lineup in place of Andre Burakovksy... This marked the fifth-fastest two goals in franchise history.