Colorado Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers Prediction: Avalanche or Oilers - who will move up in the series?

In the Western Conference Finals of Stanley Cup 2022, the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers will meet. Who will win the first game of the series? We'll pick a few options to bet on at once.

Three seasons in a row, the Avalanche stopped in the second round on their way to the Stanley Cup, and now Jared Bednar's team has finally made it to the Western Conference Finals. Colorado's victory over St. Louis helped them move on from the slump. The series was decided in six games.

So far, the Avalanche's reliance on ex-Arizona goalie Darcy Kemper has been justified. In nine games in the playoffs, the 31-year-old goalie has six wins, just two losses, a 2.44 goals-against average and a 90.4 save percentage.

In the first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton had to play seven games, but the team beat Calgary in 5 meetings in the second round. This was an unexpected result, considering that the Flames were considered the clear favourites to win the series.

Separately, the star duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl should be noted on the Oilers roster. In 12 playoff games, the super-forwards combined for 52 points on 7+19 goals against. Crazy results! Evander Kane, who fit in perfectly with the Oilers, scored 12 goals.

Protecting the Oilers' goal is veteran Mike Smith. In 12 playoff games, the 37-year-old goalie has eight wins, three losses, a 92.7% save percentage and a 2.70 goals-against average.

Despite Edmonton's very confident win over Calgary in the previous round, the Oilers can hardly be considered favourites for the series with Colorado. The Avalanche have waited a very long time for this final and simply have no right to miss the opportunity to reach the Stanley Cup main series.

Colorado has already scored 43 goals in the playoffs and Edmonton 52. In the first game on home ice, the Avalanche are unlikely to lose to the Oilers. It's challenging to contain McDavid and Draisaitl, but Colorado has someone to score.

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