Oilers on the Brink of Elimination, Avalanche Aim for Sweep Monday Night
What evidence is there that Edmonton can or will win tonight? Give us a couple of hours, and maybe we can come up with something.
< HOURS LATER >
Okay, we got nothing.
The Western Conference Final has been a one-sided series. It's been all Colorado, so far.
Now up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, the Avalanche hope to muzzle the Oilers and complete the sweep. They'll get that chance on Monday night in Edmonton.
For Edmonton fans and bettors, it's hard to see how they'll turn things around. They've been outshot and outscored in every game in this series by overwhelming margins. The Avs have averaged a colossal 4.54 goals per game on offense in the playoffs (#1), 40.62 shots per game on offense (#1), and have allowed only 2.69 goals per game on defense (#1) -- all the best marks out of any team still in the playoffs. In short, Colorado is living up to the hype as the Stanley Cup favourites all season long.
Meanwhile, Edmonton hopes to do something that's never happened before. Teams that have fallen behind 0-3 in conference semifinals and finals are 0-44 to advance in postseason history.
The puck drops at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta at 6:00 pm MST.
Prediction (powered by Pointspreads.ca):
What evidence is there that Edmonton can or will win tonight?
Well, they're at home and they certainly have a an explosive team with star-power. Unfortunately for them and especially veteran goaltender Mike Smith, they can't seem to stop opponents on the other side of the ice.
The Oilers have been outshot by an average of 13.3 shots per game over this series. That’s simply unsustainable for any team hoping to pull off an upset.
Moreover, the Avalanche are 61-19 in their last 80 games as a favourite, which tells us they get the job done when they're expected to win.
No doubt, Nazem Kadri’s absence could slow the Avalanche moving forward in the playoffs. Nevertheless, this team has strength in depth and has been a juggernaut on both sides of the puck over this postseason.
We will lay the small price with Colorado (1.74) to complete the sweep.
Game 4 Prediction:
Colorado Avalanche – 4
Edmonton Oilers – 2
