As expected, it was a high-scoring affair in game 1. Some lines placed the over/under at 6.5 goals for the game. This would be surpassed three minutes into the second period.
Edmonton would try to set the tone early, getting their only lead of the game from an Evander Kane goal 5 minutes into the game. This was Kane’s 13th goal of the postseason. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kailer Yamamoto would get the assists.
The lead would not last long as Colorado’s J.T. Compher would tie the game, 34 seconds later, with his third goal in the 2022 playoffs. Alex Newhook and Andre Burakovsky assisted on the goal.
Colorado would break the 1-1 tie, off of Nathan MacKinnon’s 9th goal of the postseason, 15 minutes into the first period.
The Oilers would respond. Zach Hyman tipped in a goal, his 9th in the playoffs, with 23 seconds left in the period. Assisted by Brett Kulak and Connor McDavid.
Any momentum Edmonton was building toward the first intermission was halted when Cale Makar scored a disputed goal nine seconds after the Hyman goal. That was Makar’s fourth of the playoffs.
Edmonton would challenge as they thought Valeri Nichushkin was offside.
“They looked at it,” Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft said. “We felt the player had control of the puck, didn’t know (if) there was an offside player. We thought it was the right move to challenge that call. Didn’t go our way. That stuff happens.”
Because of the unsuccessful challenge, Edmonton was given a delay of game penalty that was served by Zack Kassian.
Having the majority of the Edmonton penalty left to begin the second period, Colorado would convert on the power play 32 seconds in. Nazem Kadri would get the goal to extend Colorado’s lead to 4-2.
Edmonton would respond when Ryan McLeod beat Darcy Kuemper on the backhand, bringing the Oilers back within a goal. This was McLeod’s second goal of the postseason, assisted by Warren Foegele and Darnell Nurse.
Two minutes later, Mikko Rantanen would beat Mike Smith for his second goal of the playoffs. Assisted by MacKinnon and Arturi Lehkonen.
Compher would deflect a shot into the net extending Colorado’s lead 6-3. Makar and Devon Toews would get credited with the assists.
“I think it’s just a good one for us tonight,” Compher said. “We’re going to have some stuff to clean up. A lot of guys chipped in offensively tonight, but I think we have a lot to clean up defensively.”
Edmonton would make a goaltending change, pulling starter Smith for Mikko Koskinen.
“Obviously when you’re giving up touchdowns in the last two series in Game 1, I think that’s not a good sign,” Smith said. “But I think it shows a lot of our team that when we’re down, we’re not out of the fight and continue to battle right to the end and play for each other.”
Colorado would also change goaltenders. Kuemper would leave the game in the second period with what was later reported as an upper body injury. Following a TV timeout, Pavel Francouz replaced Kuemper in net.
“I have a lot of faith in (Francouz). So does our team,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “So, having a guy like that is obviously key. See through the playoffs how many teams are onto their second goalie and some teams’ third and trying to survive. You’ve got to have capable goaltending from more than one guy, and we have it.”
When asked if Kuemper would be listed as day to day, Bednar said “we’ll see.”
Colorado and Edmonton would each tack on one more goal before the period ended. Andrew Cogliano, assisted by Logan O’Connor would give the Avalanche a 7-3 lead. Connor McDavid would score his 8th of the postseason, assisted by Leon Draisaitl and Kane, bringing the Oilers back within 3 goals.
If game 1 is any indication of how the rest of the series will go, we now know that no lead is safe. Starting the last period with a 7-4 lead, the Avalanche saw that start to evaporate as Derek Ryan (assisted by Kassian and Evan Bouchard) and Nugent-Hopkins (assists from McDavid and Draisaitl). Ryan and Nugent-Hopkins recorded their first and fifth goals of the postseason, respectively.
“I liked our checking game for the most part. We were unfortunate on a couple plays,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “It felt like when we made mistakes, they capitalized on them. We have to make less mistakes, but we did get unfortunate on a couple goals, in my opinion.”
Edmonton would pull Koskinen in the last 1:30 of the game for the extra attacker. After a flurry of shots, and a Colorado icing call. Gabriel Landeskog was able to score an empty-net goal to seal the 8-6 victory.
“We scored six goals on their goaltending tandem tonight in their building. That should be enough to win the game,” Woodcroft said. “For me, there are things we have to do in terms of preventing. Sometimes I think it’s not about what you get, it’s about what you’ve given up, and we gave up far too much tonight.
“They’re a real good team. You give them chances, they’re going to bear down and score,” McDavid said. “We’ve got to defend. At the same time, we found a way to get six, so it was real similar to Game 1 last round.”
Game 2 of the Western Conference final is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 2 at Ball Arena in Denver Colorado.
You must be logged in to post a comment.