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Oilers And Avalanche - A Classic Series In The Making? |
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The Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers have yet to drop the puck and I already have the feeling that this could be an all-time classic series.
NHL.com just put out a piece ranking some of the best Conference Finals of all time and if we are lucky enough this yet-to-be-played series could rank up there among the best of the best.
Each of these clubs features elite NHL star power and the stars have been shining brightly for each club with dynamic scoring plays and clutch heroics through the first two rounds.
This is a tale of two dangerous and hungry hockey clubs looking to prove a point.
Connor McDavid vs. Nathan Mackinnon, speed vs. speed, offense vs. offense. Old-time hockey in a 1980's scoreboard kind of way.
Each team is averaging more than four goals a game in its last 10 games and the way this playoff season has gone we could see plenty more red lights flashing before all is said and done.
On paper, the 'Avs have a better-constructed roster that was further bolstered at the trade deadline. Darcy Kuemper and Pavel Francouz form a formidable goaltending battery. Colorado's defense continues its phenomenal offensive play and MacKinnon has been a man on a mission.
Big Nate is averaging more than a point per game with 13 points in 10 playoff games, including a dramatic hat trick in a stunning game 5 loss vs. the Blues. What's even more impressive is that Colorado is outscoring its opponents 20-6 with MacKinnon on the ice.
At times, the Oilers look more like a stacked beer league team trying to run up the score. McDavid and Leon Draisatl are putting up video game numbers. With McDavid on the ice, Edmonton has outscored opponents 38-11. #97 is easily playing some of the best hockey in his career. He even scored the series-clinching goal in overtime with an assist from who else? #29, of course.
The big German has been on a special run of his own. Draisatl collected 17 points in five games against the Calgary Flames and had at least three points in every game. That's insane.
McDavid and Draisatl each have 26 points in 12 playoff games. Cale Makar and MacKinnon lead Colorado with 13 points apiece in 10 games.
Evander Kane leads the Oilers with 12 goals.
Make no mistake - Edmonton has proven that there is more to its game than running up goal totals. They showed that they too could win tight, physical, and close playoff games. Meanwhile, Mike Smith continues to prove doubters wrong with his strong play in goal. At the very least he is playing well enough to help his team win games.
The Oilers are the best offensive team the Avalanche will face in these playoffs. They have more talent than St. Louis or Nashville and should give the 'Avs a run for its money.
But.....
IMO, Colorado is the best team remaining and will present all kinds of matchup challenges for Edmonton's D and if Smith even thinks of wandering out of his net Colorado's speedy forwards and tenacious forecheck will burn him.
All that said, there is plenty of power on both rosters that should lead to an entertaining and highlight-filled classic NHL series.
But, let's call a spade a spade. this series comes down to, McDavid versus MacKinnon, two of the league's biggest stars vying for something the other one doesn't have. The winner will reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in their career and in this sport that is everything.
The Western Conference Finals are on Tuesday at Ball Arena.
Thanks for reading,
Steve
Colorado Avalanche Blogger • 
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