Phil Posted May 31, 2022 Share Posted May 31, 2022 (1C) Colorado Avalanche vs. (2P) Edmonton Oilers REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS: Avalanche: 56-19-7 (119 points) Oilers: 49-27-6 (104 points) SEASON SERIES: COL 2-1-0; EDM 1-0-2 GAME BREAKERS: Avalanche: MacKinnon was held in check by the Blues for the most part in their second-round series, but he reminded everyone in Game 5 just how dangerous he is. MacKinnon finished with four points in that game, including scoring his second career playoff hat trick. MacKinnon has 13 points (eight goals, five assists) in 10 playoff games, which is tied with Cale Makar for the Avalanche lead. Oilers: It's a bit of a toss-up between McDavid and Draisaitl, who each has seven goals and 19 assists in 12 playoff games. Draisaitl finished with a staggering 17 points (two goals, 15 assists) in five games against the Flames, and McDavid had 12 points (three goals, nine assists), including the series-clinching goal in overtime in Game 5. So instead of choosing just one, Colorado needs to be cognizant of both at all times. GOALTENDING: Avalanche: Kuemper missed Game 4 of the first round against the Predators after sustaining an eye injury late in the first period of Game 3, but he was able to return against the Blues and start every game of that series. Kuemper has had some ups and downs this postseason, but he is 6-2 with a 2.44 GAA and .904 save percentage. Pavel Francouz, who filled in for Kuemper against Nashville, is 2-0 with a 2.97 GAA and .902 save percentage. Oilers: Smith has started every game this postseason, going 8-3 with a 2.70 GAA, .927 save percentage and two shutouts. The 40-year-old finished strong against Calgary in the second round after being replaced early in Game 1 by Koskinen, who allowed five goals on 37 shots. X FACTORS: Avalanche: Makar. He may have only had three assists against the Blues, but whether or not he ends up on the score sheet, the defenseman can always make things happen. Makar leads the Avalanche in ice time per game in the playoffs (26:42), and he's a critical piece on both the power play and penalty kill. Oilers: Kane didn't enter this postseason with a ton of playoff experience, but that hasn't mattered. The forward has been outstanding for the Oilers, leading the team with 12 goals and a shooting percentage of 23.5. His 15 points are also third behind McDavid and Draisaitl. WILL WIN IF: Avalanche: They can get more depth scoring. Everyone knows what to expect from MacKinnon, Makar, Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen, but when it mattered most in Game 6 against the Blues, the Avalanche got two goals from J.T. Compher while fourth-line forward Darren Helm scored the series-clinching goal with 5.6 seconds remaining. If Colorado gets that production again, it will advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2001. Oilers: If Smith is at his best. He faced a high-powered offense in the Flames in the second round, and the Avalanche are going to present that same challenge. Smith can't allow any soft goals if the Oilers want to advance to Cup Final for the first time since 2006. MORE: https://www.nhl.com/news/colorado-avalanche-edmonton-oilers-conference-final-series-preview/c-334379112?tid=334128812 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrooksBurner Posted May 31, 2022 Share Posted May 31, 2022 Oil in 5. Legit scared of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted May 31, 2022 Share Posted May 31, 2022 These are two favorite teams of mine, but I'm really rooting for Edmonton here. What more can you say about McDavid and Draistl at this point? If the Cup is to return to Canada after almost 30 years, I want it to be them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted May 31, 2022 Share Posted May 31, 2022 Colorado's goaltending may be the weak link in this one...but this is surely going to be a great series! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keirik Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 I’m so intrigued by this series to see who we play on the finals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Don't care much for Keith Jones, can't stand Olycyzk, but Kenny Albert is the man. I wish we had him for our series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 First goal of the series for Edmonton, I'll go with Draisaitl. Cale Makar for Colorado. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abe Froman Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Or not.☺ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 There will be a game with 20 goals scored in this series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keirik Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Wtf, that was clearly offsides but called onside, yet copp tagged up and was called offsides a week earlier. Lol just flip a coin at this point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long live the King Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 35 minutes ago, josh said: There will be a game with 20 goals scored in this series. Might be tonight. Defense nowhere to be found. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valriera Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Uh someone plz explain how that is not offside honestly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillyb Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 3 minutes ago, Keirik said: Wtf, that was clearly offsides but called onside, yet copp tagged up and was called offsides a week earlier. Lol just flip a coin at this point The NHL’s consistency at getting any call correct is like my shits after 3/4 bottle of vodka, six White Castle burgers, and a family-sized bag of m&ms: pure liquid shitty diarrhea. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keirik Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 4 minutes ago, Valriera said: Uh someone plz explain how that is not offside honestly It’s not because it’s a tag up. However, they called tb3 same play the other way against us a week ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillyb Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 The panel on the intermission is saying it was the correct call, citing tagging up. I wish someone would say, “didn’t we see a similar play recently with NYR?” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valriera Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Give me a fucking break makar is carrying the puck into the zone it’s flatly outrageous and it’s not even close…just get rid of the rule if you can do that on a technicality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valriera Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Like cale makar is one of the best stick handlers in the world and we’re going to say he didn’t have control of the puck between the one stride he made across the blue line????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siddious Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 6 minutes ago, phillyb said: The panel on the intermission is saying it was the correct call, citing tagging up. I wish someone would say, “didn’t we see a similar play recently with NYR?” Totally forgot they changed that rule Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 20 minutes ago, Long live the King said: Might be tonight. Defense nowhere to be found. Just turned it on to see goal #6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keirik Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Oilers just have no defense whatsoever. I’m surprised Calgary didn’t put up a bigger fight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 1 minute ago, Keirik said: Oilers just have no defense whatsoever. I’m surprised Calgary didn’t put up a bigger fight Flames blew their load in December Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long live the King Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Goaltending also suspect. Not very physical. Finals will be interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillyb Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Mike Smith vs. Darcy Kuemper Igor vs. Vasilesky Hahahhaa 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Kassian slow as fuck on a breakaway, but flys by McDavid when he’s taking a run at someone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keirik Posted June 1, 2022 Share Posted June 1, 2022 Next… Touchdown… Wins… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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