NHL playoffs live updates: Avalanche defeat Oilers 8-6 to take early lead in Western Conference final
In a star-studded Western Conference matchup, the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers are battling for a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.
It was the first time the two teams had met in the knockout stages since 1998, with the Oilers completing a comeback from 31 losses to win their first game in seven.
If Colorado wants to avoid a repeat of the heartbreak, the Avs will need to find a way out of Edmonton's seemingly unstoppable star ranks of Connor McDavid,
Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane. This trio combined to take 35 points against Calgary in the second round.
Defending the Hart Trophy winner McDavid scored the winning goal in the Oilers Game 5 horror game to send Edmonton into the Western Finals.
Avalanche will rely on their own star power in Nathan MacKinnon and the solid depth of the team, with second-tier star Nazem Kadri.
Colorado has beaten Edmonton in two of the team's three regular games and will have the home advantage in this series.