Colorado has a stranglehold on the NHL Western Conference Finals after beating Edmonton 4-2 Saturday to take a 3-games-to-none series lead.
Connor McDavid scored 38 seconds into the game to give the Oilers an early lead, but Colorado tied it late in the first and took the lead less than halfway through the second. Edmonton tied the game at 2 early in the third, but JT Compher (KAHM-fur) scored for the Avalanche with just over seven minutes left and Colorado added an empty-net goal to seal the win.
Pavel Francouz made his second straight start in goal for Colorado after Darcy Kuemper was hurt in Game 1 and had 27 saves. Mike Smith had 39 saves for Edmonton.
The Oilers try to fend off elimination in Game 4, which is coming Monday night in Edmonton.
Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals is Sunday night in Tampa. The New York Rangers lead the Lightning 2-games-to-none.
