PRE-GAME REPORT: Oilers vs. Avalanche

The Edmonton Oilers look to officially clinch a playoff on Friday night against the Western Conference-leading Colorado Avalanche at Rogers Place.
You can watch the game on Sportsnet West or listen live on the Oilers Radio Network, including 630 CHED.
Video: OILERS TODAY | Pre-Game vs COL 04.22.22

YOUR GAME-DAY ESSENTIALS
GAME DAY VIDEO
OILERS TODAY | Pre-Game vs. COL
PRE-GAME RAW | Coach Woodcroft
PRE-GAME RAW | Zach Hyman
PRE-GAME RAW | McLeod
RECENT VIDEOS
RAW: Coach Jay Woodcroft
RAW: Mike Smith
RAW: Derek Ryan
PRACTICE: Team Photo
BY THE NUMBERS
Oilers Statistics
Avalanche Statistics
COMING SOON: Stats Comparison
COMING SOON: Game Notes
RECENT BLOGS & ARTICLES
BLOG: Thursday's optional skate
GAME RECAP: Oilers 5, Stars 2
BLOG: Stingy down the stretch
VIEWING INFORMATION
You can watch Friday's game on Sportsnet West at 7:00 PM MT.
News and notes from the optional Oilers practice at Rogers Place on Thursday.
**>> READ MORE IN THE INSIDE THE OILERS BLOG**
EDMONTON, AB - Standing within a few steps of reaching the summit of securing a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Oilers will have to go through another Avalanche to get there.
The Orange & Blue have braved two meetings with Western Conference-leading Colorado twice in the last month to rave reviews, taking the powerhouse Avalanche the distance with a strong team game despite losing beyond regulation on both occasions -- a 3-2 overtime loss on March 21 and a 2-1 shootout defeat at Rogers Place on April 9.
"It seems like the road to the cup is going to run through Colorado," forward Zach Hyman said. "For us in the two games that we've played them, they've been really competitive games."
This time around, if the Oilers can find their way out of another tough test against the Avalanche on Friday night with a victory, they'll book their ticket to the postseason.
"From a points perspective, they're the top team in the league," Hyman added. "They have elite players, they play the right way, they play hard, and they're always a good test. For us, it's actually a good time of the season to play them. When you're trying to ramp up and trying to get ready for the playoffs, playing a team like that with five games left, it's going to be great for us."
The enormity of the opportunity to clinch a playoff spot in their own building against one of the league's top clubs is not lost on the locker room after having navigated through COVID complications, injuries, a tough 2-12-2 mid-season stretch, and a coaching change earlier in the season.
"We were kind of struggling there for a bit and we've really started to find our game," forward Ryan McLeod said. "We're really rolling now, so it's going to be huge if we can clinch tonight and get into the playoffs. It's going to be a fun little time for us here coming up."
Video: PRE-RAW | Jay Woodcroft 04.22.22
The Oilers have forged their way from being out of a playoff spot by six points and 10 behind the Vegas Golden Knights on Feb. 10 prior to the hiring of Head Coach Jay Woodcroft to being one victory away from securing their opportunity to compete for the Stanley Cup when the calendar flips over to May.
"I think everyone's really connected," McLeod said. "Everyone kind of has one goal in mind. We're all really determined. We've played some really good games and won against some really good teams. I think we know how good we can be and how much of a push we can make, so I think everyone's really excited."
Playing big games at the end of the regular season is where you want to be as a team, and there's still plenty to play for on both sides. For Woodcroft, who consistently employs his day-to-day approach of managing the energy reservoirs and emotions of his team, the focus remains solely on the two points available that will push Edmonton over the line.
"I see the two available points in front of us here tonight. That's what I see," he said. "Both teams have something to play for: the Colorado Avalanche are in the President's Trophy race, and the Edmonton Oilers are in the race to try and punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs."
SPARE A MOMENT FOR THE MOMENT
The trials and tribulations of the regular season make tonight's opportunity that much sweeter if you're an Edmonton Oiler.
The Oilers have ridden the ebbs and flows of the first 77 games of the regular season and steadied the ship heading into a big clash with Colorado tonight that can secure them their deserved place in the postseason.
"As a group, you go through ups and downs in a season," Hyman said. "Obviously, there was a coaching change that happened and a new voice that came into the locker room. I think Woody, Manson, and the rest of the staff have done a good job coming in and implementing what they think needed to change. I think you saw really good buy-in from the players. With the change we were playing really well, saw a little lull, and now we're playing well again."
But nothing more than a moment can be spared by the Oilers reflecting on their journey as the focus shifts right back to the business of securing the two points against one of the League's top outfits in the Avalanche.
Video: PRE-RAW | Zach Hyman 04.22.22
"There's not much time to reflect in this schedule," Hyman added. "We had a little break for the first time in a while having three days between games before our last one. Until you get that 'x' up by your name, there is no reflecting.
"Tonight will be a good test for us and it would be awesome to clinch, but we take it game-by-game and we have to keep moving forward."
The final push to the end of the regular season is no time to rest on your laurels, and the Oilers still have plenty of work to do in order to get that coveted 'x' beside their name and further grow their game for the challenge of competing in the playoffs.
"I think the playoffs are a different animal altogether," Hyman said. "It's better to be playing well going into the playoffs than the flipside. It's better to be confident and find your game at the right time.
"The playoffs are a different game. You're playing against one team, there are different matchups, but you want to be playing your best. I think right now we're really happy where we are and we have some time to continue to build."
MCLEOD MAKING MOVES
McLeod's growing versatility in the Oilers lineup will get a shot on the second line with Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman on Friday after it was revealed that a non-COVID illness will keep Jesse Puljujarvi out of the lineup tonight.
"I think he brings numerous attributes to the table," Woodcroft said. "I enjoy the fact that he brings a level of enthusiasm to each day. I think he has a youthful energy about him that rubs off on his teammates, and there's a versatility to him that allows him to move up and down the lineup and play in different capacities. I'm excited for him and his opportunity tonight."
McLeod arrived back in Oil Country last season as a late call-up from the Bakersfield in 2020-21 and stuck in the lineup throughout the rest of the season and playoffs. Today, he's built himself a cushion and trust from the coaching staff to consider himself an NHL regular.
Video: PRE-RAW | Ryan McLeod 04.22.22
"Just over time, you kind of get that confidence that you belong and play in enough games to see that you belong here," he said. "It's been a good journey and I'm looking forward to taking more steps here."
"It feels very different now. Obviously, I'm a lot more confident and kind of understand what to do most nights and what my role is here… I have a little bit more leeway and more of a chance to make some plays and grow my game."
Among the 22-year-old's biggest strengths and areas of growth this season has been his speed, learning further on how he can utilize the attribute in different areas of the ice.
"Just the simple thing is getting on pucks quick and stuff like that, but I'm definitely still learning how to use it," he said. "There are a lot of times where I could slow down in certain areas and pick my spots better, so I'm still definitely learning. But I think it's coming along."
LINEUP NOTES
Mike Smith was in the starter's crease at Friday's morning skate and looks poised to make his fourth straight start between the pipes for the Oilers.
The 40-year-old has won his last seven starts in a row and is 9-0-1 in his last 10 games with a 1.70 goals-against average and .948 save percentage.
With the aforementioned absence of Puljujarvi from the lineup, it was not confirmed by Woodcroft in his morning media availability if he'll deploy 11 forwards and seven defencemen again against the Colorado Avalanche.
Derick Brassard, Devin Shore and Josh Archibald each have the potential to draw in for the Finn at forward. Archibald served as the eighth defenceman at the morning skate beside Kris Russell, who could once again serve as the seventh blueliner in the Oilers roster. The Caroline, AB product has a goal and assist in his last two games, with a goal against the Golden Knights earlier in the homestand marking his first goal in 125 contests.
The Oilers lineup will be confirmed during pre-game warmups.
View the Oilers Projected Lineup vs. Colorado
-- Jamie Umbach, EdmontonOilers.com
OILERS vs. AVALANCHE
STREAM: 7:00 p.m. MT; televised on Sportsnet West
Oilers Team Scope
The journey for the postseason could come to an end on Friday night, with a win securing the Oilers place in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. To do so, they will have to topple one of the league's top teams in the Colorado Avalanche.
The Oilers are fresh off another home victory, dismantling the Stars 5-2 on Wednesday and pushing their record to 11-0-1 over their last 12 games at Rogers Place. The offence peppered Dallas goaltender Scott Wedgewood with a 50-shot effort -- a feat they also achieved in their last matchup against Friday night's opponent.
In Wednesday's victory, the Oilers were paced by Connor McDavid, whose three-point effort allowed him to regain the NHL's regular-season scoring title lead from Florida's Jonathan Huberdeau.
The team still saw contributions from up and down the line-up, with Evander Kane opening the scoring just 3:12 into the first period before Derek Ryan doubled the lead just minutes later. Zach Hyman and Jesse Puljujarvi potted their 25th and 14th goals respectively in the second frame to give Edmonton more than enough cushion to topple the Stars.
In both games against the Avalanche this season, the Oilers took the potential Presidents Trophy winners to the wire -- a 3-2 overtime loss in Colorado on March 21 and a 2-1 shootout loss on April 9.
"Two really good hockey games. Two of the best games I've been witness to over the last two and a half months," Head Coach Jay Woodcroft said about the previous encounters.
In both games, Nathan MacKinnon was credited with the game-winner, scoring the only goal in the shootout in March and the OT winner in April. A third crack at the Avs may be just what the Oilers need to prove they belong with the Western Conference elite.
"Colorado is where they are at in the standings for a reason," Woodcroft said. "We'll be ready for a top team coming in here tomorrow night."
Avalanche Team Scope
With the Western Conference already locked up, the Avs are in fine-tuning mode heading into the playoffs.
Colorado is coming off an upset loss on Wednesday against the Pacific Division cellar-dwelling Seattle Kraken. Seattle jumped out ahead early, potting a trio of goals in the first 15 minutes of the game and then clinging on for a 3-2 win.
The loss was Colorado's second in a row after being victors of nine straight. The mile-high team has not lost three in a row since games 2-3-4 on the season.
The Avalanche will have a bit more firepower in the lineup when they return to Rogers Place. Forward Nazem Kadri made his return to the line-up for the first time in April, picking up an assist against the Kraken. The London, Ontario product is in the middle of the most prolific season in his NHL career, racking up 26 goals, 58 assists and 84 points in only 66 games this year.
On the back end, Cale Makar set the Avalanche franchise record for points in a season, topping Steve Duchesne's mark of 82 from back when the franchise was still the Quebec Nordiques. Makar's 27 goals lead all NHL defencemen, while his 83 points are second to only Nashville's Roman Josi.
Despite a plethora of stars, the Avalanche are also a deep team, boasting seven 20-goal scorers with Artturi Lehkonen and JT Compher within striking distance of that mark.
By The Numbers
The Oilers are 15-6-6 in their last 27 home games against Colorado... Leon Draisaitl leads the NHL in powerplay goals with 23... Mike Smith's shutout streak ended on Wednesday at 144:39... The Oilers have the third-best record in the NHL since March 9 with their 15-3-2 record sitting just ahead of the Avalanche's 14-4-1 mark... Edmonton is 33-2-1 when they score four goals this year... The Oilers penalty kill has outscored their opponents' powerplay 4-1 in the month of April... Their 11 shorthanded goals are third in the league this year...
Colorado is 50-4-4 this year when they score three or more goals... The Avalanche are number one in the NHL in powerplay goals this season with 66... Four different players have scored at least 80 points with the Avs this season (Mackinnon, Rantanen, Kadri, Makar)... Colorado is top four in goal differential in every period in 2022... The Avs hold a .848 winning percentage against the Pacific Division... Colorado trails only Edmonton for the best winning percentage when scoring first this season with a .875 mark.
Injury Report
OILERS - Oscar Klefbom (shoulder) is on IR.
AVALANCHE - Gabriel Landeskog (knee) is on IR; Ryan Murray (hand) week-to-week; Devin Toews (undisclosed) day-to-day; Mikko Rantanen (illness) day-to-day; Erik Johnson (undisclosed) is day-to-day.
-- Michael Arcuri, EdmontonOilers.com