What to watch in the Colorado Avalanche’s third-round NHL Western Conference playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers:
Who has the edge?
Forwards
The Avalanche and Oilers ranked fourth and seventh, respectively, in goals per game in the regular season (3.76 and 3.55). In the playoffs, both high-octane offenses have shifted into a higher gear — the Oilers-Avalanche are 1-2 in goals per game (4.33 and 4.30, respectively). The Oilers’ top line of Connor McDavid centering Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane have combined for 26 goals and 67 points in 12 playoff games. McDavid is the world’s best player and simply took over the Calgary series (12 points) and Kane is the beneficiary of McDavid’s passes (league-high 12 goals).