Avalanche: Sakic's flair

DENVER | Immense. It was with this word that Jared Bednar had described before the second game of the Western final the acquisitions of Joe Sakic at the trade deadline.

• Read also: Lehkonen, a key ingredient in Avalanche

Bednar hadn’t just brought out the violin to praise his general manager. Artturi Lehkonen and Josh Manson, two GM catches in the days leading up to the trade deadline, had a big say in the Avalanche’s 4-0 win over the Oilers on Thursday at Ball Arena.

Lehkonen and Manson scored the Avalanche’s first two goals within fifteen seconds of the second period. Lehkonen redirected a strike from Nazem Kadri, while Manson unleashed a powerful shot to thwart Mike Smith.

At 2-0, the Avalanche took the breath away from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Mikko Rantanen added another goal seconds later to take the knockout. definitive at the Oilers.

The hosts scored three goals in just 124 seconds. Kadri (three assists), Lehkonen (1 goal, 1 assist) and Rantanen (1 goal, 1 assist) did the most damage.

“Artturi works very hard, he never gives up,” Rantanen said of his linemate and longtime friend in Finland. He gets in the tough places, he’s good at the forecheck. He is not afraid of being hit with sticks. He has talent too, he has shown it since the start of the playoffs. He had a very big game for us. »

MacKinnon had the other goal for the winners in the third period after a precise throw from Makar.

Francouz saisit le flambeau

The Avalanche did not suffer from the absence of their number one goaltender, Darcy Kuemper. At least in the short term. Pavel Francouz took over in brilliant fashion by obtaining his fourth victory of the playoffs, but also his first shutout.

The Czech made several good saves, especially in the first 40 minutes. Fans in Denver often chanted his nickname: “Frankie.” He ended his night with 24 saves.

another battle

The Avalanche will leave Denver for Edmonton with two victories in their suitcases. Confidence-wise, MacKinnon and his teammates outpaced the Oilers on every level. Cale Makar and Devon Toews also did a colossal job of slowing McDavid down in this second game.

If we were talking about a battle between MacKinnon and McDavid, it is probably more present between Makar and McDavid. The Avalanche’s No. 8 is one of the very few NHL defensemen who can match the Oilers captain in speed.

McDavid finished that game with an ice time of 22:43. Toews was on the ice at the same time as him for 14 min 25 s, while Makar was there for 13 min 04 s.

In Edmonton, Jay Woodcroft is looking to rescue McDavid from the clutches of Makar and Toews. He will have no choice if he wants to keep his team alive.

Woodcroft will also be praying for a revival of Draisaitl, the second head of the Oilers’ infamous two-headed monster. The German hid his frustration very badly during this second meeting in the mountains of Colorado.

Injured, winger Andre Burakovsky did not participate in this second game. The Quebecer Nicolas Aubé-Kubel replaced him in the formation. He brought an element of toughness with five hits.