Those hoping for an offensive celebration in the series between the Oilers and Avalanche are unlikely to be disappointed in the first game.
A total of 14 goals were scored, and Nathan MacKinnon’s team won the first duel by a score of 8-6.
Both teams used their two goalkeepers.
The Oilers because they replaced Mike Smith with Mikko Koskinen after the host’s sixth goal in just six minutes into the second period.
The Avalanche, as Darcy Kuemper injured his upper body during the game, which he left after seven minutes nineteen seconds into the second period, was replaced by Pavel Francouz.
It’s not clear when the Avalanche starter was injured, it may have been before the game. After the break between the first and second periods, it took him nearly four minutes to get back on the ice, much to the chagrin of Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft.
A controversial agreement
Five goals were achieved in the first interaction. The Oilers took just 5:04 before scoring the first goal of the game, the 13th by Evander Kane.
Avalanche’s response came 36 seconds later from JT Compher’s stick. Nathan MacKinnon then gave the hosts the lead, but Zach Hyman tied the game with a goal in the sixth straight game, with just 23 seconds left on the stage.
Both teams thought they would return to the locker room tied, but Cale Makar regained the lead nine seconds after Hyman’s goal.
The Oilers immediately called the video replay, as Makar looked offside. When he entered Oilers territory, Valeri Nichushkin had not yet come out.
However, officials ruled Makar had no control over the puck when he entered the opposing zone, causing an offside delay. When Makar finally took the puck, his teammate was outside, confirming the goal.
Six goals per second
The second stage was as crazy as the first as six players hit the target. Nazem Kadri, Mikko Rantanen, JT Compher, along with his second of the match, and Andrew Cogliano scored in succession. The Oilers ’Cue came from Ryan McLeod and Connor McDavid.
The Oilers, limited to 8 shots in the first period, shot 19 times at Avalanche goaltenders. Eight times to Kuemper before he bowed, and 11 times to Francouz.
Mikko Koskinen was tested six times, allowed one goal, while Smith was kicked after allowing three goals in nine shots.
The return of the Oilers
The Oilers started the final period by closing the gap on two goals thanks to Derek Ryan’s first in the playoffs, then Ryan Nugent-Hopkins took advantage of a power play to make it 7-6 in favor of Colorado.
Gabriel Landeskog, however, ended the Oilers ’hopes of getting back through an empty goal.
Source: Radio-Canada
