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Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche Clinch Home-Ice in First Round, Lose 2-1 in Overtime to Oilers

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1 year ago

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Avalanche nhl

Every game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers has gone to overtime this season, with the Avalanche coming out on top in the first two meetings.

The Oilers got a bit of revenge on Tuesday night.

In a hard fought battle between two of the top teams in the Western Conference, the Oilers came out on top, beating the Avalanche 2-1 in overtime. Alexandar Georgiev was stellar in net for Colorado, stopping 38 of 40 shots that came his way.

With the point, the Avalanche clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. What they’re now playing for is first place in the Central Division. They now sit one point ahead of Dallas with the same amount of games left, meaning they control their destiny in the final two games of the season. At this point in the season, that’s all you ask for.

First Period

As is tradition in a matchup between the Avalanche and Oilers, both teams came out flying in a fast-paced first period. MacKinnon and McDavid were matched up all period long, but both were held off the scoresheet.

Ben Meyers came out flying for the Avalanche on his first two shifts, and got his team on the board first. He got some help, to say the least. After a nice give-and-go with Byram at the blueline, he had a tough time corralling the pass and it was a little out of his reach. Nick Bjugstad dove and swept the puck through his own goaltenders legs, giving the Avalanche the one goal lead.

Not long after, the Oilers responded, catching the Avalanche on a line change. Ryan McLeod dropped the puck back to a wide-open Mattias Ekholm, who blasted a one-timer past Alexandar Georgiev, tying the game up.

There were chances as the period went on, including Rantanen getting stopped on an odd-man rush, but the game went into the intermission tied at one.

Second Period

The Oilers came out with a lot more energy in the second period, outshooting the Avalanche 17-8. Georgiev had to be strong, and he was all period long. His best save came halfway through the period, when McDavid had a clear breakaway. Georgiev stuck with him, and stopped him with his right pad.

A big moment came late in the period, when Devon Toews was hit with a four-minute minor for high-sticking. Against the best powerplay in the league, the penalty kill had to come up huge. That’s exactly what they did. Logan O’Connor had two huge blocks on the same shift, and Lars Eller was tremendous. That kill allowed the Avalanche to keep the game tied heading into the third period.

Third Period

The third period was intense, and both teams played real hard with a lot on the line. On their third and final powerplay of the game, the Avalanche created their best chances of the night. MacKinnon hit the crossbar with a one-timer from the left circle, and ultimately, the Avalanche were unable to solve Skinner.

On that same powerplay, the Oilers had a 3-on-1 opportunity heading the other way, but Devon Toews made a great play to break it up.

Neither team were able to score, sending the game to overtime. With the point, the Avalanche clinched home-ice in round one, and continue to control their own destiny. It would mark the third game between the teams that has gone to overtime.

Overtime

The Avalanche had the best chance at even strength in overtime, as Byram was all alone in the slot, but the Oilers defender appeared to get his stick on the shot, sending it wide. Byram recovered the puck, but turned it over along the wall, giving the Oilers a chance. He and McDavid went at it in the neutral zone, and Byram looked to stop skating after he took a tap from McDavid. The superstar used that to his advantage, and when he got even with Byram, catapulted himself with his stick past the young defenseman. Byram was beat at that point, and hooked McDavid, giving the Oilers a powerplay. You be the judge if it’s a good call or not.

The deadly Oilers powerplay finally came through, as Bouchard faked out Compher and beat Georgiev in overtime, giving the Oilers the 2-1 win.

All is not lost for the Avalanche in the Central, though. If they win out the rest of the way, they’ll take the first seed in the division. Their first opportunity to do that is on Thursday night, when the Winnipeg Jets come to town.

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