Kadri, Makar Lead Avalanche to Game 2 Victory Over Oilers

Game 2 of the Western Conference Final was much less high-scoring than Game 1, but it was the same result for the Colorado Avalanche.

After an 8-6 marathon to open the series, the Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers began Game 2 with improved defensive strategies. That and stellar goaltending in the opening 20 minutes yielded a scoreless first period.

The stingy defense by the Avs was led by defenseman Cale Makar. The Norris Trophy finalist was number one on his team in blocked shots (four) and ice time (25:54) in the game while being tasked with shutting down Oilers forward Connor McDavid.

Makar made a couple of great plays to take away space for the Edmonton star, and that performance was a big reason that McDavid and his Oilers teammates were kept off the board. Makar added one assist on the offensive end as well.

Makar and Kadri led the way for the Avalanche in Game 2.

Speaking of offense, a second-period burst for the Avalanche was really the only scoring in the game. Colorado notched three goals in just over two minutes in the early stages of period two, which turned out to be more than enough to win Game 2.

Forward Nazem Kadri had everything to do with that surge, as he assisted on all three goals in that span for his team. He led the Avs in points for the game (three) and finished with a plus-three rating.

He and his line carried the play more often than not on Thursday, thanks to Kadri winning a team-best 53 percent of his faceoffs.

Of course, forward Nathan MacKinnon’s 11 shots on goal and goaltender Pavel Francouz’s 24-save shutout went a long way in helping Colorado win the game. Still, Makar and Kadri made big plays throughout the night to propel the Avs.

Now with a 2-0 series advantage, the Avalanche will hit the road as the series shifts to Edmonton. Game 3 will be Saturday night at 8:00.