Avalanche vs Oilers Game Preview: Colorado Goes for the Sweep
Will The Avalanche Bury the Oilers?
After taking a commanding 3-0 series lead, the Colorado Avalanche looks to sweep the Edmonton Oilers this Monday. The Avalanche vs Oilers game preview and odds favor Colorado to pull off the sweep while Edmonton is an underdog to force a Game 5. Both teams will miss key figures in Nazem Kadri and Evander Kane though the latter’s absence could be more hurtful to his team, the Oilers.
Avalanche vs Oilers Game 4 Info
- Game: Colorado Avalanche (56-19-7) vs. Edmonton Oilers (49-27-6)
- Location: Rogers Place
- Day/Time: Monday, 8:00 p.m. ET
- Television: TNT
Avalanche Get Extra Motivation to Punish Oilers
As if the Colorado Avalanche needed the extra motivation to keep beating up on the Oilers. Seconds after Connor McDavid scored the opening goal, Evander Kane took an ill-advised boarding call against Nazem Kadri. The dangerous move from Kane injured Kadri indefinitely. Kane was suspended for Game 4 for his crime.
While Colorado would not be able to capitalize on the five-minute power-play, the complexion of the game changed. Colorado would score the next two goals and win 4-2 by outshooting Edmonton 42-29. Colorado controlled Edmonton from the second period onwards.
Colorado has won every series they’ve led 3-0. This is a team that has not lost on the road in the playoffs. The team’s depth is just unmatched and it speaks volumes that Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Gabriel Landeskog were held to a single point combined and yet the team won without issues. The NHL betting odds don’t favor Colorado lightly.
Do Oilers Have Any Fight Left?
Evander Kane’s suspension could be the nail in Edmonton’s coffin. The power forward was an integral part of the team both for his physicality and goal-scoring prowess. Without Kane, Edmonton will lack one of their big guns. The Oilers will need contributions from their other players or this Avalanche vs Oilers game preview is as straightforward as the expected outcome: another easy win from Colorado.
Leon Draisaitl has been held to two points in this series and has not scored a goal. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has taken four total shots. And the power-play has gone scoreless on its last four attempts. For Edmonton to win at least one game, it will need to get its PP going considering how badly the team is getting outplayed on 5v5.
Connor McDavid may be scoring a lot, but he is a -5 for the series and was a -3 in Game 3. If his line can’t stop the other line from scoring, all the goals he helps create will be for naught. Colorado would be more than happy to exchange goals with the Oilers’ top line if it meant their other three lines continued winning their matchups.
Back to The 2000s
If the Avalanche vs Oilers game preview is anything to go by, Colorado should complete the sweep and return to the Stanley Cup Finals, a place they have not been to since 2001. The Colorado Avalanche’s standings paint a team that could be the NHL‘s next dynasty. Shortcomings from the past few seasons appeared to have been growing pains but Colorado could finally be on the cusp.
This is also the first Conference Finals trip for the Avalanche since the 2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Colorado has consistently been eliminated in the second round in the past few seasons. The last time Colorado was this close to the Cup, the likes of Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy led the team. Now, the Avalanche has a roster that could give that old squad a run for its money.
Avalanche vs Oilers Betting Trends
Colorado has won six of its last seven games. Similarly, it has won six of its last seven games against the Oilers.
The total has gone under in seven of the last ten games between the Avalanche and Oilers in Edmonton. Three of the last four Oilers’ home games have gone under.
The Oilers are 23-7-2 at home against the Western Conference. Colorado is 22-7-2 against the conference as a visitor.
Connor McDavid has 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 19 career games against the Avalanche. He is a +1.
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