NHL 2022 Western Conference Finals - Game 1

The Colorado Avalanche open the Western Conference Finals against the Edmonton Oilers. Mike Smith and Darcy Kuemper are the goalies. Edmonton started in the first period with an Evander Kane goal, his thirteenth of the postseason, assisted by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Kailer Yamamoto. Colorado tied it on a J.T. Compher goal, his third of the playoffs, via Alex Newhook and Andre Burakovsky. The Avalanche took the lead with a Nathan MacKinnon goal, his ninth of the postseason, passed from Devon Toews and Cale Makar. The Oilers tied it again with a Zach Hyman goal, his ninth of the playoffs, guided in by Brett Kulak and Connor McDavid. Colorado retook the lead on a Makar goal, his fourth of the postseason, going in unassisted. The Avalanche added on with a Nazem Kadri power play goal in the second period, his sixth of the playoffs, powered by Gabriel Landeskog and Mikko Rantanen. Edmonton pulled one back with a Ryan McLeod goal, his second of the postseason, with helpers from Warren Foegele and Darnell Nurse. Colorado fired back with a Rantanen goal, his second of the playoffs, made possible by MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen. The Avalanche extended the lead as Compher scored his second of the game and fourth of the postseason, thanks to Makar and Toews. Mikko Koskinen replaced Smith in goal. Pavel Francouz also replaced Kuemper in goal shortly after that. Colorado padded the lead on an Andrew Cogliano goal, his second of the playoffs, fueled by Logan O'Connor. The Oilers pulled one back on a McDavid goal, his eighth of the postseason, coming off of Leon Draisaitl and Kane. Edmonton got closer in the third period with a Derek Ryan goal, courtesy of Zack Kassian and Evan Bouchard. The Oilers pulled closer with a power play goal by Nugent-Hopkins, his fifth of the playoffs, with assists provided by Draisaitl and McDavid. The Avalanche iced it at 8-6 with a Gabriel Landeskog empty net goal, his seventh of the postseason, an unassisted goal. The three stars were Makar, Compher, and MacKinnon, while McDavid, Rantanen, Nugent-Hopkins, Kane, Toews, and Draisaitl get the honorable mentions. The Avalanche established a 1-0 series lead. 

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