Steven Stamkos, Lightning Praised for Bounce-Back Game 3 Win Over Kuemper, Avalanche
Jun 21, 2022
TAMPA, FL - JUNE 20: Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91)Celebrates scoring a goal in the 2nd period during the NHL Hockey Stanley Cup Finals Game 3 between Tampa Bay Lightning and the Colorado Avalanche on June 20th, 2022 at Amalie Arena in Tampa Florida (Photo by Andrew Bershaw /Icon_Sportswire)
The Tampa Bay Lightning are two-time defending champions for a reason.
While many teams would have trouble getting up for a game against an offensive juggernaut after falling behind 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final with a blowout 7-0 loss, the Lightning were more than up for the challenge. They defended home ice at Amalie Arena in Monday's Game 3 with a 6-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche and are now down 2-1 in the series.
Perhaps the most encouraging development for the Lightning was the fact that the stars led the way.
Steven Stamkos (one goal and one assist), Nikita Kucherov (two assists) and Victor Hedman (two assists) all had multi-point games, and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy bounced back with 37 saves on 39 shot attempts.
The entire team earned plenty of praise on social media:
One thing about the Lightning: they really learn how to play teams. Colorado is an unreal test of that, and this game isn't even over, but Tampa's resilience and persistence as a series goes on is really striking
You’re gonna have to chop their head off, put a stake through their heart and set their body on fire too just in case if you wanna kill the Tampa Bay Lightning
— Mike Ryan (Ruiz) 🙌🏽 (@MichaelRyanRuiz) June 21, 2022
The champs doing what champs do - This is how you come home and weather an Avalanche storm. @TBLightning
Stamkos in the slot goes off the crossbar and in. Lightning up 4-2. Stamkos wanted the Lightning to show what they were made of after Game 2. Leading with both words and action.
Kucherov won a board battle and then made sick pass to Stamkos, who converted as he fell to one knee from slot. #tblightning stars coming to play tonight
Crowd cheering Vasy! Vasy! every chance they get. The advantage in goaltending for Tampa has finally emerged tonight. Kuemper’s night is over and the Big Cat is roaring.
It looked as if it would be more of the same when Colorado opened the scoring five minutes in, but Valeri Nichushkin's goal was overturned upon review for offside. Although the Avalanche still scored first and got two goals from Gabriel Landeskog and two assists each from Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar, they looked far less dominant after the crowd came to life when the first goal was disallowed.
Tampa Bay answered the first goal with three straight. Nicholas Paul scored one despite an apparent injury earlier in the game, and Ondrej Palat scored another off a beautiful pass from Stamkos.
The pattern continued when the Lightning answered Colorado's second goal with three straight again with Kucherov assisting on goals from Stamkos and Pat Maroon.
It was enough to drive goaltender Darcy Kuemper from the game, but the damage was already done for the visitors. Vasilevskiy was also dialed in to prevent any legitimate comeback threats.
Attention now turns to Wednesday's Game 4 when the Lightning will look to tie the series up and continue the theme of the home team winning every time.
Lightning Find Themselves in Familiar Position vs. Avs, But This Feels Different
Jun 19, 2022
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 18: Colorado Avalanche celebrates after a goal is scored on Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period in Game Two of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Ball Arena on June 18, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
DENVER — Jon Cooper talked about how important it is for a team to execute a game plan Saturday afternoon and his role once the game begins.
"The coaches' job is to put the game plan together. It's the players' job to go execute it, and they're the ones that are in the trenches," Cooper said ahead of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. "I always make the joke I just stand there, and I watch these players go perform. But you have to have a group that's going to do it, willing to commit to doing the things that need to be done."
His group didn't do it. But Jared Bednar's did.
"I don't know about the perfect plan, but it certainly was as close to perfect as a game you can get from your players," the Colorado Avalanche coach said.
After Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, some fans were expecting a seven-game series. The Colorado Avalanche blew a lead while the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions reminded everyone of their ability to make a push within the game.
But that ability was suddenly lost in Game 2 on Saturday night at Ball Arena. The Bolts had no answer for the Avs in a 7-0 rout, and they now leave Colorado down 2-0 in the series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f6FZoJONgo
Tampa Bay was down 2-0 to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final but went on to win four straight, so this is not unfamiliar territory. Even if the Lightning couldn't push back in one game, this team has consistently shown that it can turn the tide of a series quickly.
But this time it feels a little different. Colorado is a far superior team to the Rangers, and even Cooper himself was surprised at his group's sudden inability to capitalize on one of its longtime strengths.
DENVER, CO - JUNE 18: Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) celebrates after a first period goal during the Stanley Cup Finals game 2 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on June 18, 2022. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
"The game got away from us early, and we have shown a propensity to push back for years," he said. "Tonight, we didn't. If this becomes a common theme in this series, it will probably be a short one. I never doubt the guys in the room. Does it suck losing a game like that? For sure. We're not used to it. It doesn't really happen to us. But is it going to happen at times? Yeah, it is.
"You're just hoping it doesn't happen in the Stanley Cup Final."
The Avs showcased an overwhelming amount of speed and skill throughout the first two games. Their zone entries are so precise and the rush is so hard and so fast that the Lightning have no choice but to try to match their speed, and so far they haven't been able to.
This isn't how Tampa Bay wants to play. The Lightning wanted to slow the Avs, bottle them up in the neutral zone and push them to the outside. They wanted to force Colorado into playing low-event hockey.
Instead, it was an exceptionally high-event game, but all of the events were taking place in the Tampa Bay zone. The Bolts only managed 16 shots on goal. Darcy Kuemper turned them all aside.
"We're checking," Colorado forward Andrew Cogliano said. "Our back pressure, our reloads—it's usually third- and fourth-line guys that are key to that, they do that really well and it's part of their game, but our top two lines are, at times in the game, the best. [Valeri Nichushkin, Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog]—those guys are playing a 200-foot game right now that is really just tough to play against. It gives a chance for our D to stand up, create good gaps, and we get going the other way with the fast breaks."
The Lightning wanted their checking line of Alex Killorn, Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel to shut down the Colorado top line of Landeskog, MacKinnon and Nichushkin. Throughout the week, Bednar has reiterated that he will not shy away from that matchup.
Instead, it's the Colorado top line shutting everyone down. They did not allow a single shot attempt at five-on-five, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.
Nichushkin scored twice and nearly had a hat trick, but Andrei Vasilevskiy denied him. Cale Makar, a heavy Conn Smythe favorite, scored his first two goals of the Final, Andre Burakovsky had his second goal of the series and an assist before leaving with an injury in the second period, and Darren Helm and Josh Manson each scored as well. Rantanen had three assists, and Cogliano and Alex Newhook each had two.
Cooper decided to keep Vasilevskiy in the game, saying he gave the Bolts a better chance than 37-year-old backup Brian Elliott.
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 18: Andrew Cogliano #11 of the Colorado Avalanche and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning react after a goal scored by Darren Helm #43 of the Colorado Avalanche (not in photo) in the second period of Game Two of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final at Ball Arena on June 18, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
"Listen, this is the playoffs, and we're here to win hockey games. Vasy gives us the best chance to win a hockey game, and he's our guy," Cooper said. "He's going to be there in a couple nights. ... He's the best goalie in the world, and we win together, and we lose together. ... I don't think he would've come out. That's what a competitor he is, and that's why he's the best."
Vasilevskiy's teammates also knew they failed to give him a chance to succeed.
"He still made unbelievable saves," Lightning forward Nick Paul said. "We kind of left him out to dry there a couple times. Grade-A after Grade-A, he's not going to stop them all. He did a fantastic job tonight. We can't do that. He's our backbone, and for us to do that to him isn't fair."
The series now moves to Tampa, where the Lightning have lost only one game in the postseason and have won their last seven. But the Avs are carrying a perfect 7-0 road record into Amalie Arena.
The Avalanche are the first team in 46 years (1976 Montreal Canadiens) to take a 2-0 lead in the Cup Final against the defending champions. Three of the four previous teams to do it went on to win the series.
It's not time to count out the Lightning yet, but this is the toughest test yet for a team attempting to build a dynasty.
Lightning Mocked by NHL Twitter After Blowout Loss to Avalanche in Game 2
Jun 19, 2022
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 18: Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Logan O'Connor #25 of the Colorado Avalanche fight for the puck during the second period in Game Two of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Ball Arena on June 18, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Saturday night was one to forget for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who were embarrassed by the Colorado Avalanche 7-0 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final at Ball Arena in Denver.
It was an all-around disappointing effort from the Bolts, who were widely expected to bounce back from an underwhelming 4-3 overtime loss in Game 1 on Wednesday. Instead, they'll head back to Amalie Arena in an attempt to climb out of an 0-2 hole in the series.
Bolts netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy received the brunt of the criticism on Saturday night for allowing seven goals on 31 shots. However, the team in front of him played just as poorly, if not worse.
The team finished with just 17 shots on goal through three periods as the offense was near invisible. The defense, meanwhile, had an extremely difficult time containing the speedy, highly-skilled offense of the Avalanche, frequently allowing breakaways and scoring chances.
Valeri Nichushkin (two), Josh Manson, Andre Burakovsky, Darren Helm and Cale Makar (two) all finished with goals for the Avalanche.
Tampa Bay's performance on Saturday earned it some heavy criticism on social media, and rightfully so. Even legendary basketball sportscaster Dick Vitale weighed in on the game, asking if there was a mercy rule in hockey.
This is quite the embarrassing effort from the Lightning. No other way around it. In Game 1 there were barely any odd-man rushes. This time around it looks like the Avs get a 3-on-1 or 3-on-2 every other shift.
I was hoping for a better Stanley Cup Final, but man the Avs just are so damn good. No disrespect to the Lightning, they’re impressive as hell, but damn this might be over soon.
It was a brutal showing from the Lightning, but it's hard to already rule out the back-to-back defending champions, especially with the series set to shift to Tampa Bay.
The Bolts went down 0-2 to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final and went on to defeat the Blueshirts in six games. The team's resiliency and veteran leadership will surely be a factor in Game 3, and Saturday night's shellacking should be all the fuel the team needs to reset.
Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final is set for 8 p.m. ET on Monday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Avalanche's Jack Johnson Graduates from Michigan After 18 Years: 'Proud of That'
Jun 18, 2022
DENVER, CO - JUNE 15: Jack Johnson (3) of the Colorado Avalanche sends the puck up the boards with pressure from Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (41) of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period of Game 1 in the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Finals as the Colorado Avalanche play against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Ball Arena on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. (Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson graduated from the University of Michigan this spring with a degree in general studies, per ESPN's Kristen Shilton.
"What did it take me, 18 years [to finish]? Most people are at least a doctor at that point," Johnson said. "As a little kid, I never really thought I'd be good enough to play in the NHL. I grew up dreaming of playing college hockey at Michigan, I wanted to graduate from there. It meant a lot to me. [To] graduate, [I'm] pretty proud of that."
The 35-year-old has served as a third-pairing option for the Avalanche during the team's postseason run to the Stanley Cup Final.
During a 16-year career that has also included stops with the Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers, Johnson would take classes either online or during the offseason, chipping away at his degree.
Now, in the same summer, he's both a college graduate and playing in his first Stanley Cup Final.
"It's incredibly special," he said of trying to win the Cup. "You never know if you're going to get an opportunity to play for it. And we've worked so hard this year to get to this point where we now have an opportunity. You never know if you're going to get back here. It took me this long to get a chance here. It's special, and we're trying to make the most of it."
Andre Burakovsky Praised for OT Winner as Avs Beat Lightning in Game 1
Jun 16, 2022
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 15: Andre Burakovsky #95 of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during overtime to win Game One of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final 4-3 at Ball Arena on June 15, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
How about that for a Game 1?
Andre Burakovsky gave the Colorado Avalanche a 1-0 advantage in the Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday night, scoring the game-winning goal one minute and 23 seconds into overtime to give the Avs a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
What an unbelievable pass from Nichushkin. Great look, and great patience to throw that puck back across the grain, and a great finish from Burakovsky.
Act Two: The Lightning, showing the poise of a two-time defending champion, pulled even behind goals from Ondrej Palat and Mikhail Sergachev within a minute of one another.
Act Three: The two teams, after the explosive opening periods, played to a stalemate in the third period before Burakovsky called game in overtime.
We've got all the early makings of an epic series here, folks.
The Lightning will look to bounce back in Colorado during Saturday's Game 2 at 8 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN).
How the NHL's Two Best Defenseman Match Up in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final
Jun 15, 2022
EDMONTON, AB - June 6: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche skates during Game Four of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers on June 6, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER — On the night the Colorado Avalanche clinched their first Stanley Cup Final berth since 2001, Wayne Gretzky showered defenseman Cale Makar with some high praise on the TNT postgame show, saying Makar is the closest player we've seen to Bobby Orr.
The former Boston Bruins defenseman is likely best known for his flying goal to clinch the 1970 Stanley Cup in overtime, but it's a perfect illustration of how impactful he was on both ends of the ice, much like Makar, the 2020 Calder Trophy winner, is today.
Rarely do we see a defenseman with that kind of offensive impact who is defensively dominant as well.
Dougie Hamilton can distribute for the New Jersey Devils and pick up a ton of points, but he's not the toughest defensive blueliner in the league. Across the river in New York, Adam Fox jumps into a play like a forward, but his defensive acumen isn't quite as strong as his offensive prowess. Roman Josi does just about everything well on both ends of the ice, and it shows in the way the Nashville Predators control the shot share and the expected goals when he's on the ice.
Josi and Makar matched up in what proved to be an uneventful first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but it was a mere primer for what's to come this week in the Cup Final. Makar might be the best defenseman in the world, but he's about to face the most consistently elite defenseman over the last eight years in Victor Hedman.
"Obviously, I watched quite a bit of (Hedman and Josi) during the regular season and then even before I came into the league as well. It's fun going against them," Makar said Tuesday during his pre-Final media availability.
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 14: Cale Makar #8 of the Colorado Avalanche speaks with the media during the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final Media Day at Ball Arena on June 14, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
"You get to see them. It's awesome when you get to be on the ice with them. Obviously, it's not an individual competition, stuff like that. That's not the way that I perceive things at all, but no, anytime you get to get a matchup like this, it's going to be exciting."
Makar also talked about how he had watched Hedman before coming into the league and even watched clips of him recently—not necessarily in preparation for a Final run, but just because he likes watching the smooth-skating Swede.
Who doesn't? The 31-year-old won the Norris Trophy in 2018 and has been a finalist for the award given to the league's top defenseman each year since 2017. He was named the Conn Smythe winner during the 2020 Stanley Cup Final in the bubble with a 22-point performance in 25 games. It's remarkable production, but Makar could blow that mark out of the water this year.
The 23-year-old UMass product already has 22 points in 14 games, leading to more of that high praise, but this time by Hedman himself at media day.
"He's trending towards being one of the best defensemen to ever play this game," Hedman told Sportsnet.
The two might have similar numbers, but there are differences in their games.
Makar kills penalties and plays with a little more physicality than Hedman. He also jumps into plays like a forward, which gives the Avs a more dangerous look when he's on the ice. It's tough enough to contain Colorado when they have three forwards, considering how loaded that group is up front, so with Makar on the ice, it tilts.
Makar and his defense partner Devon Toews are such deft puck movers and skilled passers that they can expertly navigate the puck into the offensive zone with precision, get it up to their forwards, start the play and keep it going for the next line.
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 28: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman presents the Conn Smythe Trophy to Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning after Game Six of the NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Dallas Stars at Rogers Place on September 28, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
But Hedman's game is a little more subtle. While Makar is a human highlight reel, Hedman is more likely to be noticed for breaking up a play, sliding a slick pass to a forward to start a play on the other end, his power-play shot and his retrievals. At 6'6", his reach is considerably more than Makar, who is only 5'11".
"He's so good everywhere on the ice," Makar said of the Tampa Bay Lightning blueliner. "You look at his game, he's defensively sound. He can do everything, but at the same time, he contributes offensively, and I think that's what makes a good defenseman nowadays is being able to contribute on all ends of the ice. Overall, he's just a very complete player, and I really enjoy watching him."
Neither one has many weaknesses, and their strengths are endless. They play similar minutes, and they quarterback two of some of the best power plays in the league. One could win the Conn Smythe, while the other could win the Norris (Josi, the 2020 winner, is also a finalist).
Defensemen are so difficult to develop but so influential on the ice. A matchup like this in a championship series is as rare as Hedman and Makar themselves.
"Hopefully, it's fun for the fans," Makar said.
Avalanche's Magic Season Just Needs the Stanley Cup to be Complete
Jun 7, 2022
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - JUNE 06: The Colorado Avalanche celebrate after defeating the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 in overtime in Game Four of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on June 06, 2022 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
The Eastern Conference Final was billed as a battle of the two best goaltenders in the world, while the Western Conference Final featured two of the best forwards in the world.
On Monday night, Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche bested Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, just as many predicted.
It's not that MacKinnon is better than McDavid—though he might have a claim to being the second-best player in the world—but the Avalanche are built to win and built to win now. The Oilers overcame poor roster construction and a midseason coaching change to get to this point, but their season is over after Colorado completed the swept with a 6-5 overtime victory.
An Avs win always felt inevitable. They proved they belong in the Stanley Cup Final by stepping on the throats of their opponents and not letting up, from their opening series against the Nashville Predators to their second-round win versus the St. Louis Blues. After years of playoff disappointment, the narrative around the team has shifted as the Avalanche have exorcised playoff demons and shown they know how to win when it counts, and done so convincingly.
Artturi Lehkonen scored the overtime winner—which was fitting since he scored the overtime winner that sent the Montreal Canadiens to the Cup Final last year—but Cale Makar set it up with a rocket of a shot from the point, which was maybe even more fitting given how Makar has driven this team through the postseason.
The defenseman had a five-point night to bring his total to 22. His 17.43 expected goals in the postseason trail only McDavid's 20.68. He was named a Norris Trophy finalist for his incredible production in the regular season, and he's looked every bit as good in the postseason. He might be the best two-way defenseman in the league, and he proved that by being matched up with McDavid shift by shift.
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - JUNE 06: The Colorado Avalanche pose with the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after defeating the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 in overtime in Game Four of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on June 06, 2022 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
Colorado has a deep defense corps outside of Makar and his partner, Devon Toews. The Avalanche lost Samuel Girard in the second round when he broke his sternum against the Blues, but Bowen Byram, who missed so much of the last few seasons with concussion issues, has been having a breakout postseason.
Per Corey Sznajder, the Avs blueliners have proved to be adept at evading pressure and avoiding turnovers.
Puck retrievals were the main category I added to my tracking this year. It's another way to look at zone eixts, but more of how good defensemen are at evading pressure to make plays or avoid turnovers. Not a surprise to see Colorado as the leader in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/wmxUiuoucy
And the defensemen had to be good, especially against McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. But the Oilers provided help in that regard, particularly in net.
Despite a characteristically dominant performance by McDavid and an unreal performance by a clearly hobbled Draisaitl, Edmonton was undone by inconsistent goaltending from Mike Smith and by a much deeper Colorado roster.
It's unfortunate that fans will have to wait yet another year to see if McDavid and Draisaitl can make it to a Stanley Cup Final, and it's maddening for fans in Alberta to see a team with world-class players continually come up short. There were times during this run that it felt like McDavid was singlehandedly winning games, dragging the Oilers from series to series.
Edmonton now has a lot of time off to figure out where to go next. General manager Ken Holland has to make a decision about interim coach Jay Woodcroft, and it's unlikely the club will be able to afford Evander Kane. The Oilers lack depth and a No. 1 goaltender and are in deep trouble with the salary cap.
That's a story for another day. For now, the focus is on Colorado.
While the Avs have been impressive, they're also banged up, and their depth will be tested in the Cup Final. Nazem Kadri was injured in Game 3, and it's unlikely he will play another game this season. He was making a case to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.
But the biggest question for the Avalanche in the next round is arguably goaltending. It's been an eventful postseason for netminders all over the league, and Colorado hasn't been immune to the drama. Darcy Kuemper was injured during Game 1 and missed Games 2-4.
Pavel Francouz recorded a shutout in Game 3 but allowed five goals in Game 4. Kuemper was able to back him up, which was a promising sign, and the time off will be beneficial.
A year ago, MacKinnon lamented Colorado's lack of postseason success in a sullen news conference. The desire to rewrite the narrative has helped power the Avs to the top, which is where a team with two top-five players belongs.
All they have to do now is finish the job to secure the legacy.
Loss to Avs Shouldn't Dampen Optimism for Connor McDavid and the Oilers in the Future
Jun 7, 2022
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - JUNE 04: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers reacts after scoring against Colorado Avalanche in the first period in Game Three of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on June 04, 2022 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
It's a sad day in Alberta's capital city.
Flags are coming down. Wagers are being paid. Beards are being shaved.
Because the Edmonton Oilers didn't win the Stanley Cup.
After a gut-wrenching 6-5 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final completed an inglorious weeklong sweep, the franchise in the NHL's northernmost city won't be having a parade.
It's been 31 consecutive seasons since the franchise last hoisted the Stanley Cup when the team won its fifth title in seven years.
So for fans of a certain age, it’s just another unsatisfying spring in the “City of (Ex-)Champions.”
Still, it seems a little different this time around.
Rather than compiling post-mortems with more laundry lists of reasons the team can't win as currently constructed, those closest to the group are actually suggesting (gasp!) optimism.
Not surprisingly, the biggest reasons wear uniform Nos. 97 and 29.
EDMONTON, AB - MAY 14: Edmonton Oilers Center Connor McDavid (97) and Edmonton Oilers Center Leon Draisaitl (29) wait for a puck drop in the second period during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup playoffs round 1, game 7 on May 14, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Though the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl captured four scoring titles, three MVPs and four Ted Lindsay Awards, they managed to win just eight playoff games—and one playoff series—across their first six seasons of playing together since McDavid was picked No. 1 overall in 2015.
Certainly shy of the four banners that Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier hung before their partnership ended in 1988.
But stirring series wins over the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames this spring created the momentum to suggest it can happen again—at least once because they're still a pretty good pair.
Even after a four-game erasure by the Avalanche, both McDavid (33) and Draisaitl (32) are still well ahead in the league's playoff scoring race thanks to the cartoonish rate at which they'd produced against the Kings and Flames.
Most points in a playoff year without making it to the #StanleyCup Final: 35- Doug Gilmour (TOR, 1993) 33- Connor McDavid (@EdmontonOilers in 2022 via 10 goals & 23 assists) 33- Rick Middleton (BOS, 1983) 32- Leon Draisaitl (EDM in 2022 via 7G-25A) 32- Barry Pederson (BOS, 1983) pic.twitter.com/su1HvP2zTn
That clip was on the heels of an equally absurd season in which they’d finished first and fourth in the league with a combined 233 total points.
And the best news? They’re no longer alone.
Individual accolades notwithstanding, the uptick in Edmontonian positivity has more than a little to do with the sturdier supporting cast assembled by embattled general manager Ken Holland.
Winger Zach Hyman was brought in on a seven-year, $38.5 million deal last summer and paid off with career-highs in goals (27) and points (54).
Evander Kane was plucked from the NHL bargain bin in late January and scored 35 goals in 58 regular and postseason games.
Minor-league coach Jay Woodcroft arrived after Dave Tippett was fired on February 10, and the Oilers responded with a 26-9-3 record down the stretch. It included a 14-0-1 run across the final 15 home games, as the Oilers set a new franchise record for consecutive games with a point at home.
In fact, Woodcroft's eight playoff wins are already tied for fifth in Edmonton's coaching history.
"A little bit of a younger voice," McDavid said of his head coach to the Canadian Press (h/t TheStar.com).
“He’s brought a lot of energy and a lot of passion to the job. We fed off that. The message he preaches is something that I think we all agree with. Something that we all can buy into.”
Woodcroft's bond with youngsters Ryan McLeod (two goals against Colorado) and Dylan Holloway (NHL debut in Game 4 of the WCF) was forged in the AHL and makes them vital to Edmonton as it heads into an important offseason. The Oilers have an onerous salary cap situation ($7.1 million) and uncertainty in goal and on defense.
Defensemen Evan Bouchard, 22, and Philip Broberg, 20, could be promoted to full-time, too, potentially giving the team nine of its own first-round picks in the everyday lineup.
The prolific Kane warrants a big boost from the prorated $1.38 million he made with the Oilers through season's end. Meanwhile, McLeod, Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto are due for raises as restricted free agents alongside decisions to be made on another eight with unrestricted status.
A deep, skilled Colorado team revealed Edmonton's soft blue line, with an average of 43.0 shots allowed—following a season with a rate of 32.3 shots (12th-most in the NHL) and overall playoffs with an average of 38.9 shots (fourth-most)—that simultaneously magnified questions in the net.
Forty-year-old starter Mike Smith was statistically sound—2.81 goals-against average and .915 save percentage—for a second straight regular season.
But his inconsistency was never more apparent than in a series-defining Game 3 when a number of spectacular saves were followed by a game-winning goal by third-line center J.T. Compher that trickled through his legs with 7:18 remaining.
He allowed six goals on 42 shots in the finale—including four in the third period—and finished with a pedestrian .872 save percentage and a downright ugly 5.57 goals-against average. On the flip side, Avalanche backup Pavel Francouz posted a .908 and a 2.81 GAA.
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - JUNE 04: Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92), Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13), Colorado Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram (4), Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (7) Nichushkin"u2019s goal against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41)in the period during game three of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at Rogers Place June 04, 2022. (Photo by Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Smith is signed for one more season at $2.2 million, while backup Mikko Koskinen's three-year, $13.5 million deal is expiring. Holland will either have to stand pat and give AHL stalwart Stuart Skinner a shot at the full-time job after a 14-game audition or swing a deal to bring in an established commodity.
It's a lot for a GM, particularly one who's 66, to contend with.
And if he doesn't make the right choices, it won't be long before familiar fan angst returns.
But while the season's practical result was similar—no Cup, again—a surprise run to the league's final four and the continued prolific presence of the world's best player go a long way toward exorcising a generation of demons.
It also provided Holland with some additional time to keep the good vibes going.
Avalanche's Nazem Kadri Likely out for Playoffs After Injury from Evander Kane Hit
Jun 6, 2022
EDMONTON, AB - JUNE 04: Colorado Avalanche Center Nazem Kadri (91) in action in the warm up during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals, game 3 on June 04, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Colorado Avalanche are just one win from the Stanley Cup Final, but they may have to finish chasing a championship without one of their primary contributors.
Darren Dreger of TSN reported Monday that center Nazem Kadri underwent surgery on his thumb after suffering an injury on a hit by Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane during Saturday's Game 3 of the Western Conference Final.
While Kadri was not ruled out for the rest of the playoffs, Dreger noted it was "unlikely" he will return to the ice until the 2022-23 campaign.
Colorado head coach Jared Bednar had told reporters that Kadri would miss the rest of the series.
"He's out. He'll be out for the series at least, if not longer," Bednar said. "The hit, it's the most dangerous play in hockey. He puts him in headfirst from behind eight feet off the boards. I'll leave it at that."
Kane hit Kadri in the first period, and the Avalanche forward never returned. Gene Principe of Sportsnet reported Sunday that Kadri had a soft cast on his right wrist.
The Oilers forward was issued a five-minute major penalty for boarding, and the NHL Department of Player Safety announced he was suspended for one game.
While Colorado may not need Kadri to close out Edmonton after winning the first three games, his absence would be felt in the Stanley Cup Final against the New York Rangers or Tampa Bay Lightning.
The 31-year-old tallied a career-best 87 points this season with 59 assists and 28 goals. His plus-minus of plus-13 was the second-best mark of his career, which started in the 2009-10 season and includes 10 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and three with Colorado.
The visiting Avalanche will look to close out the Oilers at 8 p.m. ET Monday.
Oilers’ Evander Kane Suspended 1 Game for Hit That Injured Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri
Jun 5, 2022
EDMONTON, AB - JUNE 04: Edmonton Oilers Left Wing Evander Kane (91) hits an Avs player in the first period during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals, game 3 on June 04, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane has been suspended one game for boarding Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri.
The play occurred early in Game 3 of the Avs' Western Conference Final series against the Edmonton Oilers.
Kadri is out for at least the remainder of the Western Conference Final because of an undisclosed injury, per Avs head coach Jared Bednar (h/t Peter Baugh of The Athletic).
According to Gene Principe of Sportsnet, Kadri was seen with a soft cast on his right wrist Sunday.
The Avalanche lead the best-of-seven series three games to none after a 4-2 win over the Oilers on Saturday. Game 4 will take place on Monday at 8 p.m. ET in Edmonton.
Kadri is a big loss for the Avs. The 31-year-old has been sensational in this year's playoffs with six goals and eight assists in 13 games. He notably had the primary assist on the Avs' first three goals in a 4-0 win over Edmonton in Game 2.
Kane won't be easy to replace either. The 30-year-old dominated in limited action this year with 22 goals and 17 assists in 43 games. That's in addition to his NHL-high 13 goals in this season's playoffs.
Ultimately, the Oilers' backs are against the wall down 3-0. While not impossible, a comeback is unlikely against the Western Conference's top seed this year. The question for the Avs is the state of Kadri's health come Stanley Cup time.
It's unclear when the Final will take place until the New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning series nears its conclusion. Right now, the Blueshirts hold a 2-1 series edge with Game 4 set for Tuesday. But Kadri would be a tough loss if he's forced to miss any Stanley Cup time.
For now, both teams need to regroup without their productive forwards as the Western Conference Final moves on.
