It was to be expected: it was with an offensive festival that the series between the Edmonton Oilers and the Colorado Avalanche began on Tuesday in Denver. Cale Makar had four runs, including a goal, and the first inning went to the Avalanche 8-6.
J.T. Compher also contributed with a two-goal performance for the Avalanche, who are trying to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since winning against Martin Brodeur and his New Jersey Devils in 2001.
Infernal sequences
Some of the best players in the world compete in this series, with Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon topping the list. The two players have each scored a goal in this duel, but other players have stood out admirably well since the start of the playoffs.
Evander Kane was notably the first scorer of the game in the first period, scoring on a breakaway. It was the 13th goal in 13 playoff games for him. He is only the fourth player in the last 30 years to achieve such a feat after Mario Lemieux (15 in 1992), Johan Franzen (13 in 2008) and Joe Sakic (13 in 1996).
Moments later, before the end of the engagement, Zach Hyman also hit the target. He scored in the sixth game in a row, totaling seven goals and nine points during this sequence.
Andrew Cogliano, Nazem Kadri, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog also lifted the Ball Arena crowd, while Ryan McLeod, Derek Ryan and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins replied in the loss.
Without too many surprises given the score, the two starting goalies were chased out of the game. Mike Smith was replaced by Mikko Koskinen after giving up six times on 25 shots. His successor meanwhile made 20 saves.
In the winning clan, Darcy Kuemper also retired to the locker room after allowing three goals on 16 shots. Pavel Francouz did little better, stopping 18 of the 21 pucks aimed at him.
Game 2 of this series is Thursday in Denver.
