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Western Conference Finals Game 4: Avalanche @ Oilers |
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There isn't much runway left.
We have seen three very different games so far in the Western Conference Finals. Game 1 was a back and forth affair with both teams scoring at will and trading chances back and forth. Game 2 saw the Avalanche completely take over leaving the Oilers reeling in their own end. Game 3 was a more physical affair with both teams playing tighter hockey.
In all three cases the Avalanche ended up winning and now the Oilers are on the verge of not only being eliminated, but being swept entirely.
Last game was a tough one to lose because for long stretches of the game the Edmonton Oilers were the better team. The team managed to kill a 5 minute major early in the game on the Evander Kane hit (more on that in a second) but prior to that scored the first goal of the game just over 30 seconds in. High Danger chances in that game at 5 on 5 were 14-3 in favor of the Oilers with overall scoring chances 29-9 in their favor. Regardless of the numbers the Avalanche managed to score more goals than Edmonton, including a backbreaking third goal which absolutely needed to be stopped by Smith. Right before that goal occurred, Evan Bouchard fired a puck that beat Francouz but hit the post and stayed out. That's hockey for ya.
Evander Kane was suspended for one game for his hit on Kadri which not only took the forward out of the game for Colorado, but out of the series and potentially remaining playoffs for Colorado. In my opinion it should have been a far steeper penalty for Kane.
Not only should it have been a far longer suspension, but other incidents in the same game should have at least warranted a look for a suspension as well.
Here is the play in question:
Yamamoto will not play again tonight after taking this hit from Gabriel Landeskog
This is not meant to come across as whining or suggesting that the refs are trying to make the Avalanche win. I don't believe that. What I do believe is that the NHL remains toothless in it's ability to dole out meaningful consequences for dangerous hits. We should be watching two great teams battle against each other with their best players but instead we are seeing those numbers dwindle and it's on the NHL for permitting these types of plays to occur.
Now to the task at hand, can the Edmonton Oilers come back against the Colorado Avalanche? Sure there is a chance but at this point that seems highly unlikely. What we are seeing is a team that is simply better than the Oilers in almost every way. These playoffs have been unbelievably entertaining and I'm sure Oilers fans, while dissapointed at the current results, will still be able to look at the journey fondly, whenever it may be over.
If tonight's game does end up being the last game of the season we will break things down more but for right now let me just say that this Avalanche team needs to be the bar that Ken Holland must try and reach next season. Holland, the pro scouts, coaches, and all others involved need to look at this series, realize why the Oilers weren't able to win and address those holes. This group of players led by Connor McDavid have shown that their window to win is right now. Next season not being able to return to the Western Conference Finals should be seen as a massive disappointment.
On a more fun note, it looks like with the injury to Yamamoto and suspension of Evander Kane, Dylan Holloway will make his NHL debut in a trial by fire potential elimination scenario. Holloway was drafted 14th overall back in 2020. Holloway plays a game somewhat reminiscent of Taylor Hall in that he is a dynamic winger who loves to carry the puck. Unlike Hall, at least early on in his career, Holloway does play a more complete 200 foot game. Holloway is being thrown into the lions den tonight and while it will be difficult to fault him for any mistakes he might make in this game, if he looks comfortable early that will be one more promising prospect to look at for next year.
Last thoughts on Evander Kane. If this is the last game of the season for the Edmonton Oilers, it could very well mean the end of Evander Kane in Edmonton. There was turmoil and controversy at the time of the Kane signing but to the player's credit, he shut up, played the game and helped this team not only win games, but win a couple of playoff series as well. With 22 goals and 39 points in 43 games and 13 goals in 15 playoff games, Kane did his job on the ice. Regardless of if Kane does return next season or not, it's clear that one area Edmonton will need to address this summer is bringing in a volume shooter to play next to McDavid.
This blog does feel like me announcing the Oilers throwing in the towel and for the fans sake I hope that is not the case but this Avalanche team is about as good a hockey team that I have seen in the past decade. I hope the Oilers can pull out a win tonight and give fans at Rogers Place at least one more opportunity to play La Bamba before the season is done.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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