Avalanche defeat Oilers 4-2 to take 3-0 series lead, near Finals berth

Pavel Francouz took J.T. Compher off the hook for a penalty with a key save on Connor Mcdavid. A few seconds later, Compher took the life out of Rogers Place in Edmonton — and put the Colorado Avalanche on the cusp of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Compher came out of the penalty box to give Colorado the lead with 7:18 left and the Avalanche beat the Oilers 4-2 on Saturday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals. Called for tripping Leon Draisaitl just three minutes after Ryan Mcleod tied it for Edmonton, Compher raced out of the box, beat defenseman Evan Bouchard for control along the boards and scored between goalie Mike Smith’s legs.

Valeri Nichushkin scored twice for Colorado, Mikko Rantanen had an empty-netter with 30 seconds left, and Francouz made 27 saves.

Francouz stepped in midway through Colorado’s 8-6 victory in Game 1 when Darcy Kuemper sustained an upperbody injury, then made 24 saves Thursday night in a 4-0 win for his second career playoff shutout. In Game 3, he made the big stop on Mcdavid to keep it tied before Compher scored.

Mcleod tied it at 2 at 7:34 of the third, going the length of the ice and beating Francouz with a snap shot from the high slot. Mcdavid opened the scoring 38 seconds in for Edmonton. Smith made 39 saves. Game 4 is tonight in Edmonton, with Colorado a game away from advancing to the Stanley Cup final. The Avalanche won titles in 1996 and 2001.

BRUINS: Patrice Bergeron won the Selke Trophy as the NHL’S best defensive forward for a record-breaking fifth — and possibly last — time, the league announced. Bergeron is on the verge of his 37th birthday, does not have a contract for next season and has declined to say whether he plans to come back for a 19th season.