Thursday, 2 June 2022. 23:05
(Update : Thursday, June 2, 2022. 10:53 PM)
Nazem Kadri helped Colorado score three goals in just over two minutes in the second period and the Avalanche took a 2-0 lead in the Western Final with a 4-0 win over the Oilers of Edmonton in Game 2 on Thursday.
Pavel Francouz, who got the start in net for the Avalanche due to an upper-body injury to Darcy Kuemper, had a shutout of 24 saves. It was the second shutout of his playoff career.
“It’s not easy not to play a lot at the end of the season and in the playoffs and to come on like that by making several key saves when the score was 0-0 and even followingwards when we had a lead of a few goals. It proves how good a goalkeeper he is and how strong he is mentally,” admitted Mikko Rantanen.
Lehkonen puts the pressure on and opens the scoring
Artturi Lehkonen got a goal and an assist.
« Lehky gets involved in forechecking and creates turnovers that lead directly to goals. He always heads to the net to do the dirty work. It’s a charm to play with him,” mentioned Kadri.
After an 8-6 offensive festival won by the Avalanche in the first game, the fans had to wait until the second period to witness a goal, or rather three goals.
The Avalanche opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the second period. Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse was unable to reach a teammate in his crease and Rantanen passed the puck to Kadri. The latter fired a quick shot that Lehkonen deflected to deceive Smith’s vigilance.
The celebrations weren’t even over when the Avalanche doubled their lead just 15 seconds later. The Oilers were pressed in their territory once more and Manson accepted a pass from Kadri before unleashing a slap shot that moved the ropes. Smith appeared to be a little distraught by teammate Josh Archibald’s block attempt.
Back on the ice, the Avalanche’s second line came back to action only a minute and 49 seconds later. On a two-on-one climb, Kadri lifted a pass to Rantanen, who was asking for the puck, and the Finn lodged the puck behind Smith.
The Colorado team then closed the door to the Oilers, allowing only 11 shots in the last 40 minutes of play.
“We played a good first, mentioned Tyson Barrie. There was this streak in the second where they scored one, then a second and a third. This is a team that likes to take advantage of the momentum. We have to do a better job of stopping the bleeding when they score a goal. We can’t let the game get out of control like that. »
“That two-minute streak took the wind out of our sails and we weren’t able to generate the chances we would have wanted for the rest of the game,” Oilers head coach Jay said. Woodcroft.
Smith loses glove, MacKinnon nails Oilers coffin
Nathan MacKinnon made it 4-0 with 4:40 left in the third as Mike Smith lost his mitt to the shorthanded.
The two leading scorers in the playoffs, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, were shut out for the first time in 10 games. Draisaitl had collected at least two points in his last six outings.
“I haven’t been at my best since the start of this series,” Oilers captain Connor McDavid admitted. They did a good job of limiting our scoring chances. »
Smith, back in net for the Oilers following being kicked out of Game 1 in which he gave up six times on 19 shots, stopped 36 of 40 shots he faced.
The Oilers offense had been going strong for the past few weeks, having scored at least four goals in its last six games, and they challenged Francouz in the first period. The Czech, however, answered the call.
Kailer Yamamoto left the game following the second period with an upper body injury. He was hit by Gabriel Landeskog in second.
“I think Yamamoto was in a vulnerable position and the main point of contact was the head,” Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft said. My job is not to make these decisions, I am not a referee. I’m sure this check will be reviewed by the league. »
The series now moves to Edmonton where Game 3 will be held on Saturday.
The valves are open, Rantanen makes it 3-0!
Manson adds with a cannonball 15 seconds later
