The expected show between the Oilers and the Avalanche

Forwards who fill the net, defenders who love carrying the puck, more or less reliable goaltenders: this is the recipe offered to us by the Oilers and the Avalanche in an association final where Connor McDavid, on one side , and Nathan MacKinnon, on the other, will be the main headliners.

The expected show between the Oilers and the Avalanche

Forwards who fill the net, defenders who love carrying the puck, more or less reliable goaltenders: this is the recipe offered to us by the Oilers and the Avalanche in an association final where Connor McDavid, on one side , and Nathan MacKinnon, on the other, will be the main headliners.

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Since arriving in Edmonton, Leon Draisaitl and McDavid have never been better supported than since Ken Holland acquired Evander Kane. The two magicians finally have someone on their left who can both collect pucks and regularly put the finishing touches on a sequence in the offensive zone.

As Philippe Boucher recently pointed out to colleague Robert Laflamme of NHL.com, "the two-headed monster has found legs." Kane leads the league with 12 playoff goals.

With this added complicity, the German and the Ontarian each collected 26 points. A production rhythm worthy of the great years of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

Edmonton has scored at least four goals in eight of its 12 playoff games. They have six of at least five nets.

At the top

In the Colorado camp, MacKinnon was well countered by the defensive play of the St. Louis Blues. However, the moment of one game, the fifth, he demonstrated what he can accomplish when given too much space. That night, despite a setback from his team, he scored a hat trick in addition to adding an assist.

The 26-year-old forward leads the Avalanche scoring column with 13 points, tied with Cale Makar.

Massive attack

MacKinnon is particularly dangerous on the power play, where he has scored half of his eight goals. Gabriel Landeskog also scored as many times at even strength (3) as with the advantage of a man.

It's no wonder Colorado's massive offense is on top with a 34.5% (10 for 29) completion percentage.

The weak point

The offensive strike force of the two teams could be increased tenfold considering the unequal outfits of Darcy Kuemper and Mike Smith.

The former maintained a 2.44 goals-against average. His .904 save percentage since the start of the playoffs ranks him seventh among 11 goaltenders who have seen action in at least seven games. The four behind him are now on vacation.

It's not much better for the second, whose average of 2.70 can be described as high-sounding. Against the Calgary Flames, Smith was roughed up, allowing at least three goals in four of the five games he played.

He can thank his attack, author, on average, of 4.33 goals per game.

Oilers record

2nd Pacific, 104 pts

82 pj | 49 v | 27 d | 6 dp

Avalanche sheet

1er Centrale, 119 pts

82 pj | 56 v | 19 d | 7 dp

Confrontations 2021-2022

Oilers

1-0-2

Avalanche

2-0-1

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