Oilers Advance to conference finals in 7, will face Avalance

WHAT A SERIES! 

It was a good bet this series would go seven games, but this series was a barn burner down to the last second. Despite never leading in games the entire series, the Oilers consistently fought back and won a hard fought game seven against the Flames in a series that will go down as one for the ages

Game 1

The series started as the unstoppable force, led by Barkov and and Giroux met against the immovable object, Semyon Varlamov. In this round, despite the top line peppering him with 15 shots, and the Oilers outshooting the flames 29-21, Varlamov clutched victory by posting a 966 on route to a 2-1 victory. 1-0 Flames.

Game 2

The Dust had been shaken off, both teams are ready to play and the Oilers came out hard peppering Varlamov with 12 shots in the first period, but withered away in the third and allowed 19 shots against in that period alone. However, the Oilers got 3 goals from three different lines, allowing their depth to be the hero this time around, despite being outshout 38-31, the Oilers hung onto the lead 3-2. 1-1 Series tie

Game 3

Simple put, this was a goalie showdown. Both tenders stoped everything that was thrown at them with Exceptions of Matt Duchene beating Hellebuyck in the second and Giroux beating Varlamov in the third. This game needed OT and Hellebuyck cracked first on a shot from Duchene  taking the game and the series 2-1.

Game 4

This game became the Barkov show, as the Oilers top gun showed just why he's the top rated player in the sim. He put up 4 points 2 goals and two assists, going 24/45 on the dot, and playing almost 8 minutes of PK time. This was also the first game the Oilers beat Varly more than 3 times. series tied 2-2 after a 4-3 win.

Game 5

This game was the only game that wasn't a 1 goal game, as the Flames showcased their own depth, led by Matt Duchene who potted a goal and two assists. and backed by a 963 by Varlamov. The Flames routed the Oilers 4-1 to bring them 1 game away from moving onto the conference finals. 3-2 Series lead for the Flames.

Game 6

Do or die time for the Oilers, and a great chance for the flames to put away their top seeded provincial rival in what would be considered a big upset. This would be first game the goalies look beatable, and the offensive juggernauts of each team would decide this one, Duchene scored 2 goals and 3 assists, and schenn got the hatrick and added two assists. However, the Oilers had a few more tools at their disposal, getting 3 point games from Evander Kane, Alex Barkov, and Claude Giroux, as well as getting secondary scoring from each and every line. This depth decided the game and the Oilers forced game 7 in a 6-5 victory.

Game 7

This is it, winner goes on, loser goes home. And the Flames did not want to be losers, thoroughly outplaying the Oilers and outshooting them 40-25, despite only recieving 4 powerplays...this game isn't decided by shots though, and the Flames met man who also wanted to win by the name of Connor Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck posted a 975 and only allowed 1 goal, While Jonathan Toews potted a game winning goal to take the game 2-1. And with that the Battle of Alberta was over. It felt fitting that such a series was decided on goaltending heroics on the last game.

Stars of the Series

It is hard to pick stars in a series that saw 1 player take overs, 5 point games, and goaltending heroics, but here are my choices for the top five players of the series
1. Connor Hellebuyck - posted a .919 and a 2.71, but the timing of his performances was impeccable
2. Semyon Varlamov - came up just behind Hellebuyck with a .912 and a 2.57, Varlamov also routinely stole victory from defeat.
3. Matt Duchene - The best offensive player in the series posted 10-5-15, but fell short in game 7 and posted 0's across the board.
4. Brayden Schenn - scored 6 goals and added 9 assists for 15 points, but also fell short when games were on the line. 
5. Alexander Barkov - The utility knife of the series, played the most PK time, scored 5-5-10, took the hardest matchups all series long.

Whats next?

The Oilers will move on to face the Colorado Avalance to decide who gets to play in the Stanley cup finals. The Oilers played Colorado 3 times this year with, losing the first game 2-1, but winning the next two 6-5, and 3-1 respectively.

When GM Hiemstra took over, it looked like a team that was destined for a long rebuild, but had some foundational pieces in Aho and Monahan, Hiemstra has surrounded those two pieces with good veteran Talent this season such as Ryan Getzlaf, Ilya Kovalchuk, Zdeno Chara, PK Subban, and Thomas Griess. This mix of experience of youth has led to results, as Colorado has eliminated Juggernauts in Chicago, and Dallas. Many have claimed that Colorados defence is the best in the league, and filled with cup champions who know what it takes at this level. 

Edmonton also has some mix of youth and experience, being led by a vet in Giroux, and one of the best young centers in the game in Barkov. The team is deep, can recieve scoring from every line, and has a defence that's not too shabby in it's own rite. The offense of the team could also be considered a step above, with players like Patrick Kane, Alexander Barkov, Claude Giroux, and Jonathan Toews, Colorado doesn't have the same elite fire power upfront as the Oilers.
 

Keys to Victory

Avalanche
1. stay out of the box, do not let the Oilers top guns to maintain consistent pressure
2. Capitalize on scoring chances
3. Win defensive zone battles against the Oilers top guns

Oilers
1. Pressure the defence of the Avalanche early and pin them in the zone.
2. stifle the breakouts and maintain pressure in the offensive zone.
3. Shoot early and often, test Greiss as much as you can.

Who is the best in the west?