Fans gathered at the Ball Arena for Game 2 of the series between the Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday didn’t have the same spectacle as those in Game 1, but they were able to celebrate in the same way way the victory of theirs, by the score of 4 to 0.
Some had to scratch their heads at the end of the first period. Despite strong play and several golden chances, no goals were scored.
The crowd favorites, however, returned to the rink, for the second period, with fire in their eyes. Nazem Kadri was the source of a three-goal push for his team in the space of 124 seconds.
The forward first set up Artturi Lehkonen’s net, his fifth in the playoffs, before setting the table for Josh Manson and Mikko Rantanen. Kadri has thus brought his total points to 14, in 12 games, since the start of the playoffs.
For his part, Lehkonen increased his total to eight points, he who also amassed an assist on the success of Manson.
Nathan MacKinnon nailed the coffin for the visitors, during a power play late in the third period, by beating Mike Smith with a precise shot.
Despite allowing six goals on 25 shots in Game 1, Smith was once again offered the confidence of head coach Jay Woodcroft. Even though he looked better, his 36 saves weren’t enough.
At the other end of the ice, Pavel Francouz was Jared Bednar’s right-hand man, replacing Darcy Kuemper, who injured his upper body in the first game of the Western final. Francouz, who will blow out 32 candles on Friday, celebrated his birthday in style, he who repelled all 24 opposing attempts to sign the shutout.
The Oilers will try to rectify the situation at Rogers Place, where Games 3 and 4 will take place on Saturday and Monday, respectively.