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The Colorado Avalanche are set to take on the Edmonton Oilers in the 2022 NHL Western Conference Finals, with a Stanley Cup Finals berth on the line. The matchup will pit two of the game's greatest talents against one another, as Nathan MacKinnon and the Avs will look to put an end to Connor McDavid and the Oilers' surprising run. Ahead of the Avalanche-Oilers series, we'll be making some Avalanche Western Conference Finals predictions for their Stanley Cup Playoffs clash against Edmonton.
The Avalanche made quick work of the Nashville Predators in the first round, sweeping them in four games. They needed six games to take down the St. Louis Blues, though it never really felt as if they were at serious risk of losing the series. Now, they'll look to continue their dominance with the Oilers coming to town, as Game 1 is set for Tuesday, May 31.
While Connor McDavid is playing some of the best hockey we've seen from an individual in NHL history, and that's no exaggeration, the matchup with the Avalanche will be his toughest task yet. This series could very well wind up needing seven games to decide a winner, and with that in mind, here are our three bold Avalanche predictions in the Western Conference Finals.
Colorado Avalanche: 3 bold predictions for 2022 Western Conference Finals vs. Oilers
3. Avalanche hold Connor McDavid under 10 points in the series
While 10 points in a playoff series is an impressive feat, it's light work for Connor McDavid. Across the first two series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, McDavid has registered 26 points in just 12 games. Averaging more than 2 points per game, McDavid has been unstoppable in the playoffs. We're expecting him to be the focal point of Colorado's defensive game plan and the Avs to bring the physicality up against the Hart Trophy candidate, making it difficult for him to have his way offensively.
McDavid is a player who will typically try to avoid contact. Taking big hits isn't ideal for the Oilers star, but that's exactly what he has coming in the series against Colorado. The Avalanche will look to take McDavid off his game by any means necessary, so expect some of their enforcers to look to lay a big hit or two on the superstar center whenever possible. Holding McDavid to single-digit points in the series will be a critical first step for Colorado's run to the Finals.
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2. Mikko Rantanen bounces back from quiet playoff performance
While many of the Avalanche stars have carried their sensational regular-season performances over into the playoffs, Mikko Rantanen has not been his usual self in the postseason. We're expecting that to change from the Avs leading points-getter, who has been unusually quiet for Colorado thus far. Rantanen has 11 points in 10 games in the playoffs, but has scored just one goal. To make matters worse, that goal was an empty-netter late in a win against the Blues, meaning Rantanen has yet to score a true even-strength goal in the playoffs.
This is a guy who was just 8 points shy of 100 points in the regular season, and led the team with his 36 goals. His lackluster performance in the playoffs has been concerning, to say the least, but there's likely no one keener on turning things around than Rantanen himself. Look for the 25-year-old to bounce back and lead Colorado in scoring during the series against Edmonton.
1. Avalanche sweep the Oilers, cruise to Stanley Cup Finals
The Avalanche will start the series out at home, where they've been terrific in the playoffs. If Colorado can take both games in the Mile High City, they'll have a ton of momentum as the series swings back to Edmonton for Games 3 and 4. While Edmonton's run in the playoffs has been remarkable, we're expecting it to come to a swift end against the Avalanche. The Avalanche have consistently been an overwhelming force on offense, and Edmonton's defense is the clear weak point of their team. That bodes well for the Avalanche, who will look to supply constant pressure on Mike Smith in goal and make things difficult for the Oilers' defensively.
If they can keep the pressure on, they will limit the amount of time McDavid has to work his magic on offense. The Avs will look to play their usual fast-paced, physical brand of hockey in order to keep McDavid at bay and keep Smith busy in the cage. If they can stick to that game plan, there's real reason to believe the Oilers struggle to pick up even a single win in this series.
