Artturi Lehkonen couldn’t have asked for more. His goal in overtime in Game 4 between the Colorado Avalanche and the Oilers on Monday in Edmonton sent them on vacation.
The Avalanche thus triumphed 6 to 5. The Finn headed for Mike Smith’s net, shortly after a face-off won by his team in opposing territory, where he deflected a shot from Cale Makar, blocked by Mike Smith. Lehkonen immediately grabbed the comeback and allowed his own to sweep the series.
This means that the former Montreal Canadiens will be making his second straight appearance in the Stanley Cup final, he who also had access to this stage with the CH in 2021. Lehkonen will start this final with 11 points. on the clock, he who also amassed two assists in the Avalanche’s fourth victory against the Oilers.
None other than Zack Kassian forced overtime after seeing the Avalanche come from a two-goal deficit in the third period. This comeback was crowned by Mikko Rantanen’s fifth spring goal.
Trailing 3-1 and 4-2, the Avs showed resilience to tie the game. Gabriel Landeskog first took advantage of yet another turnaround from Smith to cut the lead in half. After spending two minutes in the dungeon for a knee check, Nathan MacKinnon tied the game using his high speed and incisive shot.
The Oilers’ offensive guns also answered the call. Connor McDavid scored three points, while a battered Leon Draisaitl had four despite an ankle injury.
The Alberta team erupted in the middle period by threading the needle three times. Zach Hyman first opened his counter after receiving a skillful pass from Draisaitl. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins added by beating Pavel Francouz on the breakaway, before McDavid doubled the Oilers lead with a perfect power-play shot.
The Avalanche had not been intimidated by the noisy Rogers Place in the first period. Cale Makar made Kassian pay for his indiscipline by opening the scoring while the agitator was locked up in the dungeon. Makar’s accurate shot from the top left no chance for Smith, whose view was obstructed by several players.
Devon Toews also hit the mark for the Avs.
This means that the Avalanche will benefit from a few days off before the final stage of the playoffs, since no winner has yet been declared between the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning, in the final of ballast.