2022 Stanley Cup playoffs – Can the Oilers come back? Who is the MVP for the Avalanche so far?
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Following the Colorado Avalanche’s 4-2 victory in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals, the Edmonton Oilers are one loss away from a sweep. After a six-goal outburst in Game 1, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl & Co. have managed just two combined in the following two contests.
Will the Oilers solve the Avalanche puzzle in Game 4 to start a major turnaround? Or will Colorado close things out and then get another extended break before hosting Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final? Our panel weighs the big questions ahead of Game 4 (8 p.m. ET Monday, TNT).
What do the Oilers need to do to get back into the series?
Victoria Matiash, NHL analyst: If these banged-up Oilers are to have any chance whatsoever of extending this series beyond four games, they need to be flawless in their own end. Perfect. No desperate, errant passes, no irresponsible wayward sticks, no misplays by the goaltender. There’s been too much undisciplined play on behalf of Edmonton out front of Mike Smith to date, and the Avalanche have taken advantage.
Also, the Oilers need to stay out of the penalty box. Applaud the penalty kill all you like, but McDavid & Co. have a much better chance of scoring when they’re not watching the kill from the bench. Altogether, Edmonton needs to play more disciplined defensively, while still working to stifle Colorado in transition as much as possible, to improve their odds.
Arda Ocal, NHL host: I’m not just saying this because of the astronomical mountain a 3-0 series deficit is to climb (only nine teams have forced a Game 7 after being down 3-0, and only four of those teams pulled off the reverse sweep), but the Avs just look like the better team, up and down the ice.
The easy answer would be production from your superstars and from Mike Smith in net, but Cale Makar alone has made Connor McDavid look pedestrian in certain instances, and that’s an incredibly tall task for anyone to accomplish (given how many times McDavid has made all five opponents on…
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Source : espn
