Artturi Lehkonen scored 1:19 into overtime on Monday night to give the Colorado Avalanche a 6-5 win and four-game sweep of the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL’s Western Conference Final. “There’s no participation medal,” Oilers goaltender Mike Smith said after the game. “It’s very disappointing.
It’s hard to get to this point.” “We’re a hungry group, but there’s a long road to even get back into the playoffs next year, and then the grind begins,” Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse said as he reflected on his team’s season.
The Avalanche took the lead before the game was four minutes old. With Oilers forward Zack Kassian in the box for slashing, Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar picked the top corner with a point shot for his fifth goal of the playoffs. “I thought it was a cautious start for us,” Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft said. “I thought that game felt like a boxing match with two good teams throwing punches.” The Oilers couldn’t muster a goal on two power-play attempts. Read more: Depleted Edmonton Oilers fight to stay alive in NHL Western Conference final It took the Oilers over seven minutes to get a shot on goal in the second but they made it count.
Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl fed Zach Hyman streaking to the net. Hyman went to the backhand for his 10th. The Oilers scored twice 1:57 apart late in the second.