DENVER -- The NHL Western Conference finals were billed as two superstar-laden, high-octane offensive powerhouses going head-to-head for a chance to play for Lord Stanley's Cup.
The Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers already managed to surpass even those lofty expectations.
In Game 1 of their best-of-seven series Tuesday, the Oilers and Avalanche threw it back to the NHL's roaring, scoring 1980s heyday in a back-and-forth affair in which literally no lead was safe. A combined 14 goals and 84 shots added up to an 8-6 win for Colorado, and admittedly left everyone a little stunned.