(Calgary) The Edmonton Oilers are through to the Western Conference Finals.
Posted at 6:19 a.m.
Oilers captain Connor McDavid scored 5:03 into overtime to lead the team to a 5-4 win over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night and win in five games.
The playoff leading scorer scored his seventh goal of the playoffs by beating Jacob Markstrom with a free shot following a pass from sidekick Leon Draisaitl and kicked off the celebrations for the Oilers.
Darnell Nurse, Jesse Puljujarvi, Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard rattled the ropes in regulation time for the Oilers.
Draisaitl had four assists — a fifth straight game with three or more points. Hyman also stood out with two assists.
McDavid and Draisaitl both increased their point totals to 26 in the 2022 playoffs.
Photo Sergei Belski, USA TODAY Sports
They will face the winner of the series between the St. Louis Blues and the Colorado Avalanche in their first appearance in the Stanley Cup semifinals since 2006. The Avalanche lead the series 3-2.
The Flames would have been in a different position had Blake Coleman’s goal late in the third period been allowed. According to the officials, Coleman kicked the puck so they disallowed the goal.
Andrew Mangiapane, Mikael Backlund, Johnny Gaudreau and Calle Jarnkrok scored for the Flames. Coleman had two assists.
Mike Smith stopped 32 shots in the win.
Markstrom made 30 saves.