Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) celebrates his empty-net goal goal against the Edmonton Oilers in the third period during game one of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena May 31, 2022. The Avalanche won 8-6.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche and teammates stand for the national anthems before the first period against the Edmonton Oilers at Ball Arena on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDarren Helm (43) of the Colorado Avalanche tangles with Darnell Nurse (25) of the Edmonton Oilers during the third period of Colorado’s 8-6 win at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead over the Oilers in game one of their best-of-seven Western Conference Finals series.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDarcy Kuemper (35) of the Colorado Avalanche stops a shot by Zack Kassian (44) of the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostA Colorado Avalanche gives a thumbs down to Evander Kane (91) of the Edmonton Oilers after he scored a 1-0 goal during the first period at Ball Arena on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostZack Kassian (44) of the Edmonton Oilers upends Bowen Byram (4) of the Colorado Avalanche as Darcy Kuemper (35) tends the net during the second period at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMikko Koskinen (19) of the Edmonton Oilers stops Logan O'Connor (25) of the Colorado Avalanche as Cody Ceci (5) and Evander Kane (91) check him during the second period at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates his goal against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) in the first period during game one of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena May 31, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNathan MacKinnon (29) of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his 2-1 goal against the Edmonton Oilers with teammate Gabriel Landeskog (92) and Valeri Nichushkin (13) during the first period at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game 1 of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostFrom left, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram (4), left wing J.T. Compher (37), defenseman Jack Johnson (3), left wing Andre Burakovsky (95) and center Alex Newhook (18) celebrate with J.T. after Compher's goal against the Edmonton Oilers in the first period during Game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena May 31, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJosh Archibald (15) of the Edmonton Oilers checks Erik Johnson (6) of the Colorado Avalanche during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers at Ball Arena on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRyan Nugent-Hopkins (93) of the Edmonton Oilers handles as Artturi Lehkonen (62) of the Colorado Avalanche defends during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) shoots and scores a goal against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) in the first period during game one of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena May 31, 2022. Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) tries to defend on the play.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post,Leon Draisaitl (29) of the Edmonton Oilers mugs Cale Makar (8) of the Colorado Avalanche during the first period at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
Gabriel Landeskog (92) of the Colorado Avalanche falls as he shoots against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6), Colorado Avalanche center Andrew Cogliano (11), and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) greet Colorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz (39) after defeating the Edmonton Oilers 8-6 in game one of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena May 31, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostEdmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) and Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) gets caught up while Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) loses his helmet in the second period during game one of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena May 31, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJ.T. Compher (37) of the Colorado Avalanche and Tyson Barrie (22) of the Edmonton Oilers jostle during the first period at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJ.T. Compher (37) of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his 1-1 goal against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) celebrates his goal against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) in the second period during game one of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena May 31, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJ.T. Compher (37) of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his 1-1 goal against the Edmonton Oilers with teammates during the first period at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
Andy Cross, The Denver PostColorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) celebrates his goal against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) in the second period during game one of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena May 31, 2022.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostErik Johnson (6) of the Colorado Avalanche stiff arms Zach Hyman (18) of the Edmonton Oilers to his back as Nazem Kadri (91) defends during the third period of Colorado’s 8-6 win at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead over the Oilers in game one of their best-of-seven Western Conference Finals series.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostRyan Nugent-Hopkins (93) of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates a 7-6 goal on Pavel Francouz (39) of the Colorado Avalanche during the third period of Colorado’s 8-6 win at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead over the Oilers in game one of their best-of-seven Western Conference Finals series.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostAndre Burakovsky (95) of the Colorado Avalanche skates off the ice with Bowen Byram (4) after wearing a snapshot against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period of Colorado’s 8-6 win at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead over the Oilers in game one of their best-of-seven Western Conference Finals series.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJosh Manson (42) of the Colorado Avalanche passes as Zack Kassian (44) of the Edmonton Oilers defends during the first period at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJosh Manson (42) of the Colorado Avalanche checks Warren Foegele (37) of the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostGabriel Landeskog (92) of the Colorado Avalanche celebrates his game-clinching empty netter against the Edmonton Oilers with teammates Nazem Kadri (91) and Cale Makar (8) during the third period of Colorado’s 8-6 win at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead over the Oilers in game one of their best-of-seven Western Conference Finals series.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDarcy Kuemper (35) of the Colorado Avalanche warms up before the first period against the Edmonton Oilers at Ball Arena on Monday, May 31, 2022. The Avalanche hosted the Oilers in Game one of the best-of-seven Western Conference Finals.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) celebrates his goal against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith (41) in the second period during game one of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena May 31, 2022.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
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Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) celebrates his empty-net goal goal against the Edmonton Oilers in the third period during game one of the NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena May 31, 2022. The Avalanche won 8-6.
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By AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post and Andy Cross | across@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Edmonton Oilers 8-6 in the first game of the NHL Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena in Denver on Tuesday, May 31, 2022.
