Avalanche, Oilers shoring up defense before Game 2
Colorado goaltender Darcy Kuemper remains questionable for Game 2. Same with Edmonton's Mike Smith.
Same with the defense in front of them, for that matter.
To put it kindly, the “D” for the Avalanche and Oilers was shaky in Game 1 of a Western Conference finals that produced 14 goals and 84 shots. It was the highest-scoring conference finals game in 37 years.
There could be more fireworks in store tonight in Denver. That's just the by-product of the fastpaced style both teams like to play even if it may come at a cost on the other end.
“As a group, we can be better defensively,” said Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, who had a goal and two assists in the 8-6 win. “Definitely not the way you want to play games with these guys.”
The over/under for Game 2 was placed at a respectable 7 1/2 goals, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Betting on adjustments being made?
“I would expect it to tighten up because I'm sure they're feeling the same way,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “You're not going to win a lot of playoff games when you give up six or seven.”
Bednar had no status update on Kuemper, who left in the second period with what the team said was an upper-body injury. Bednar wouldn't specify if Kuemper's injury had anything to do with the stick that went through his mask and caught him near the eye during the Nashville series. Kuemper allowed three goals on 16 shots before departing.
“I'm not going to get into his injury,” Bednar said Wednesday. “Especially not this time of year.”
Backup Pavel Francouz took over and surrendered three goals on 21 shots.
“We have the utmost confidence in him,” Avalanche forward Logan O'Connor said of Francouz, who also stepped in when Kuemper was hurt against the Predators. “Tons of confidence.”
There are goaltender quandaries on Edmonton's side, too. Smith was taken out in the second period after allowing six goals on 25 shots. Mikko Koskinen held the Avalanche in check — one goal on 21 shots.
Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft was noncommittal about his net situation Wednesday. Smith also was yanked during a 9-6 loss in Game 1 at Calgary in the second round, only to respond with four straight wins.
“I thought Mike Smith was excellent for us all playoffs long,” Woodcroft said. “Last night, I didn't think we did much as a team to help them out in certain situations. We'll determine Mike's status and Mikko's status tomorrow.”
This was how relaxed the Oilers appeared Wednesday: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins sauntered into the meeting room for interviews wearing a pair of hotel slippers.
The series deficit doesn't bother them. They've dropped the opening game each round of the playoffs.
“Game 1s haven't been our thing, for sure, there's no question about that,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “That's something our team has done a really good job of this year — sticking with it and being resilient and not quitting on each other.”
CANADIENS SIGN ST. LOUIS TO 3-YEAR EXTENSION >>
Hall of Famer Martin St. Louis officially became the 32nd head coach in Montreal Canadiens' history after signing a three-year contract extension, nearly four months after being named interim coach.
St. Louis, 46, took over from Dominique Ducharme, who was fired on Feb. 9. The Canadiens finished out the season with a 14-19-4 record under St. Louis.
“Martin is a proven leader, a great communicator with a deep understanding of and passion for the game of hockey,” general manager Kent Hughes said. “His arrival brought a renewed energy to our group, and we look forward to him returning behind the bench to continue guiding our team for the foreseeable future.”
The Canadiens, who were Stanley Cup finalists in 2021, finished last in the NHL this season, going 2249-11.
They hold the first overall selection in the NHL draft, which is scheduled for July 7-8 at Montreal's Bell Centre.