May 31, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) celebrates an empty net goal in the third period against the Edmonton Oilers in game one of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Avalanche beat Oilers in 8-6 scoring frenzy to take 1-0 lead in conference finals

By Adam Stites | Last updated 5/31/22

The Colorado Avalanche beat the Edmonton Oilers in a high-scoring duel Tuesday to take a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals. The 14 combined goals in the 8-6 win for the Avalanche were the second most in a conference finals game.

J.T. Compher scored two of the Avalanche's eight goals and the team got one goal each from Andrew Cogliano, Nazem Kadri, Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cole Makar.

Makar's goal provided some controversy though, as it appeared that it should've been disallowed because Valeri Nichushkin was offsides.

Opposite angle pic.twitter.com/8AIEirGLRz
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) June 1, 2022

After a challenge by the Oilers, officials ruled that the goal counted because Makar pushed the puck across the blue line and didn't make contact with it again until after Nichuskin got back onside.

The goal gave the Avalanche a 3-2 lead heading into the second period and the unsuccessful Edmonton challenge provided a power play that Colorado took advantage of to take a 4-2 lead.

Oilers goaltender Mike Smith was benched by the team after giving up six goals and recorded 19 saves. Backup goalie Mikko Koskinen only gave up one goal and made 20 saves, helping the Oilers to close the gap from 7-3 to 7-6 in the third period. The Avalanche scored an eighth and final goal on an empty net with 22 seconds left in the game.

Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper left in the second period due to an upper-body injury and didn't return. Pavel Francouz replaced him in goal and played the last 32:41 of the game. Kuemper and Francouz each allowed three goals.

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals is scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.

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