The Oilers have seen this script play out before.
And if Edmonton doesn't solve its defensive issues, the Western Conference final could be over quick.
"Similar to the last series, ultimately," said Edmonton captain Connor McDavid, who finished with a goal and two assists to give him an NHL-best 29 points in the playoffs. "We just weren't good enough from the start." Evander Kane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, with a goal and an assist each, Zach Hyman, Ryan McLeod and Derek Ryan also scored for Edmonton. Leon Draisaitl chipped in with two assists.
Edmonton — no slouches when it comes to skating — just needs to find a way to slow down the Avalanche's ferocious attack."We obviously have to change something," Draisaitl said. "We can't be giving up that many goals. After falling behind by a combined 5-0 score line in the first periods of their previous Game 1s losses, the Oilers opened the scoring just over five minutes into Tuesday when Kane scored his 13th goal in 13 playoff games.
It looked like Edmonton would escape tied, but the visitors switched off when play resumed. Makar jumped on a turnover in the neutral zone and wired his fourth with 13.8 seconds remaining. "We felt the player had control of the puck, didn't know there was an offside player," Woodcroft said. "We thought it was the right move to challenge that call, didn't go our way. That stuff happens."
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