I said before the series that we would see plenty of scoring. However, I expected both teams to contribute. The Colorado Avalanche look to put the Edmonton Oilers in a vice grip on Saturday when the clubs meet in Alberta for Game 3 of the Western Conference final. With backup Pavel Francouz stopping all 24 shots on Thursday the Avalanche took a 2-0 lead scoring 12 goals in the two games. The Oilers won their previous three home games outscoring Calgary and LA 11-4 and they need a strong performance in net from Mike Smith to get back in the series.
Avalanche vs Oilers Date/Time
Game 3 of the Stanley Cup playoff series between the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers will air live on TNT at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 4, 2022 from Rogers Place.
Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers Odds
Colorado Avalanche -125
Edmonton Oilers +105
Over / Under 7
Playoff Analysis
Exceptional balance led the Avalanche to the best record in the West during the regular season and that’s been on display in the Stanley Cup playoffs. They ranked fourth during the season in scoring with 3.8 goals per game while surrendering 2.8 goals for the ninth-best mark. They improved to 10-2 this postseason and have yet to lose a road game going 5-0 while outscoring opponents 26-13 cashing the OVER in four of those games. They exhibited in this series that they can play any style.
You want a shootout, beware. The likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog can do damage like they did in Game 1 with each recording a goal and an assist. They are also responsible defensively. With backup Francouz taking over for injured Darcy Kuemper, Colorado allowed just 24 shots in Game 2 getting the 4-0 win.
It isn’t a must-win game but it’s damn close. The Oilers certainly don’t want to fall in a 0-3 hole since few teams have ever come out of it. It has happened, though, so there’s that. But it’s much easier to play facing a 2-1 deficit. Maybe Edmonton stepped off the gas a little knowing they wouldn’t be facing Colorado’s starting goalie in Game 2. Or maybe they were beaten by a better team.
Most likely a combination of both and I expect the Oilers to play with a sense of urgency on Saturday. They also need better net protection from Smith, who was yanked from Game 1 after allowing six goals and surrendered four in Game 2. He didn’t get much help on Thursday with the Avalanche peppering him with 40 shots.
Colorado Avalanche
Edmonton made it a point to stop MacKinnon in Game 2. It should be a point of emphasis in every game, but in doing so it allowed others more ice and the Avalanche took advantage. Nazem Kadri assisted on all three second period goals with Artturi Lehkonen, Josh Manson and Rantanen all scoring in the frame. MacKinnon joined the party scoring his 10th of the playoffs on the power play late in the third.
The story, however, was Francouz. Forced into action due to Kuemper’s injury, Francouz pitched his second career playoff shutout against one of the top scoring teams in the NHL. This came after he allowed three goals on 21 shots in nearly 33 minutes of Game 1. Injury updates are scarce in the NHL so we don’t know Kuemper’s status for Game 3. But Colorado has to feel pretty good after what transpired on Thursday.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers aren’t built to win low-scoring games. They possess two of the most dynamic offensive players in the game in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and will win when they score. They need those guys to put the puck in the net or at least help get the puck in the net. It isn’t often those two are held off the scoresheet. McDavid has an NHL playoff high 29 points with Draisaitl right behind with 28 points. And Evander Kane leads with 13 goals. The trio was held to seven shots on Thursday.
Making adjustments ahead of Game 3 is needed for Edmonton to get back in the series. They have the talent and Smith was much better in Game 2. But the Oilers need to use their skill to dictate the pace. They were on their heels most of Game 2 and rarely were on the offensive. McDavid admitted that he’s not at the top of his game in the series and he’s running out of time to get there.
Avalanche vs Oilers Predictions
In front of their crazed fans I expect Edmonton to have a little more jump in their step. They need to test whoever is in net for Colorado and they will. Scoring will naturally follow. I didn’t anticipate a shutout in this series and if McDavid starts to play better than he says he is Colorado could have a problem. The only issue is Colorado’s depth, which the Oilers can’t match. However, they showed in Game 1 they can keep pace and a clutch save from Smith somewhere will be the difference.
Game 3 Prediction: Edmonton Oilers +105 / OVER 7
