Connor McDavid has reached new heights in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Same goes for Nathan MacKinnon.
Despite the good vibes of conquering past disappointments and silencing critics, both superstars B次元官网网址� with 11 career individual NHL awards between them B次元官网网址� are far from satisfied with the task only half complete.
McDavidB次元官网网址檚 Edmonton Oilers and MacKinnonB次元官网网址檚 Colorado Avalanche open the Western Conference final Tuesday in Denver after slaying some of their spring demons.
The Oilers had reached the second round just once in McDavidB次元官网网址檚 career prior to this month, while MacKinnon and the Avalanche failed to advance beyond the same stage each of the last three post-seasons.
What a difference a couple weeks can make.
Edmonton is now in the third round for the first time since 2006. ColoradoB次元官网网址檚 last trip to hockeyB次元官网网址檚 final four was all the way back in 2002.
May 30, 1985 馃棑锔�
B次元官网网址� NHL (@NHL)
The are back-to-back champs. 馃弳
B次元官网网址淵ou really have to enjoy the journey,B次元官网网址� MacKinnon, the No. 1 pick at the 2013 draft, said after his team beat the St. Louis Blues in six games to move on. B次元官网网址淭he jobB次元官网网址檚 not finished, but thatB次元官网网址檚 a great accomplishment for us. WeB次元官网网址檝e been (through) some dark times.
B次元官网网址淣ice to get over this hump.B次元官网网址�
The first overall selection in 2015 had similar thoughts on the heels of his clubB次元官网网址檚 impressive five-game disposal of the favoured Calgary Flames in the first playoff Battle of Alberta in 31 years.
B次元官网网址淲e feel like weB次元官网网址檙e a good team,B次元官网网址� McDavid said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e playing good hockey B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 only gonna get harder.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had great belief in our group for a long time. Even when we were going through some tough times, we stuck with it.B次元官网网址�
The tough times in Edmonton are well-documented for a once-proud franchise that won the Cup five times between 1984 and 1990.
The Oilers missed the playoffs 10 straight seasons after falling to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 of the 2006 final.
Edmonton also made the second round just once in six pervious campaigns with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl beginning in 2015, including three springs devoid altogether of playoff hockey.
And even more recently, the Oilers were in danger of missing this post-season dance before interim head coach Jay Woodcroft replaced the fired Dave Tippett in February and led the team to the NHLB次元官网网址檚 second-best record over the 38 remaining games to finish No. 2 in the Pacific Division.
The Avalanche B次元官网网址� Cup winners in 1996 and 2001 B次元官网网址� have had more regular-season success in recent years, but three straight second-round exits weighed on an uber-talented group that also includes Mikko Rantanen, Gabriel Landeskog and Cale Makar.
MacKinnon and Landeskog have been in Colorado for the tough times when the team was at the bottom of the standings, the good moments, and the heartbreak.
B次元官网网址淥ur team has changed a lot over the last handful of years B次元官网网址� taking ownership of this team and what weB次元官网网址檙e doing,B次元官网网址� said Landeskog, the Avalanche captain. B次元官网网址淩ewarding getting over this hump, but at the same time, weB次元官网网址檝e got a big goal in mind.
B次元官网网址淚 feel like the best is ahead.B次元官网网址�
Fans will be expecting just that from two rosters loaded with speed, skill and lethal power plays.
McDavid and Draisaitl lead the post-season with an astounding 26 points each in 12 games, while Evander Kane tops the goals race with 12.
On the other side, MacKinnon, whoB次元官网网址檚 tied alongside Makar with 13 points, took over ColoradoB次元官网网址檚 series against St. Louis for an Avalanche group that often looks like its been shot out of a cannon at puck drop.
B次元官网网址淯sually the best players in the world get really geared up when theyB次元官网网址檙e playing the other best players in the world,B次元官网网址� Woodcroft said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e in a business where naturally everybody is ultracompetitive.
B次元官网网址淵ou want to show well.B次元官网网址�
Colorado finished the regular season second in the overall standings with 119 points, 15 clear of Edmonton.
All three of the teamsB次元官网网址� meetings came in the last six weeks of the schedule, with the Avalanche winning in a shootout and overtime, and the Oilers securing the only regulation victory.
B次元官网网址淭he pace in those games was excellent,B次元官网网址� said Woodcroft, whose team combined with the Flames for an outrageous 45 goals in their five-game series. B次元官网网址淭he speed and skill of the players involved speaks for themselves.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e learned in this playoffs not to try and predict anything.B次元官网网址�
But what each second-round series also showed was that both the Oilers and Avalanche are about more than just elite, high-end talent. Edmonton got big performances from players like Kane and Zach Hyman, who scored six times against Calgary, while Darren Helm bagged ColoradoB次元官网网址檚 dramatic late winner in Game 6 versus St. Louis.
B次元官网网址淚t takes everybody up and down the lineup,B次元官网网址� McDavid said. B次元官网网址淚t takes an absolute army.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e certainly driven by our leaders,B次元官网网址� Woodcroft added. B次元官网网址淏ut I can tell you those guys are great teammates, and they believe in their teammates. We would not be where weB次元官网网址檙e at right now unless we had great contributions from everybody on our roster.B次元官网网址�
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EdmontonB次元官网网址檚 coach said his teamB次元官网网址檚 performances against the Avalanche in that trio of games gave a group still trying to find its footing a new level of confidence.
B次元官网网址淚t showed that we have what it takes to play with the best in the league,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t comes down to an extra play made either way. We know the challenge thatB次元官网网址檚 before us.
B次元官网网址淭he league has narrowed again.B次元官网网址�
And the margins are only going to get tighter for two sets of players in uncharted territory.
B次元官网网址淲e have some players who are playing in their first playoff games,B次元官网网址� Woodcroft said. B次元官网网址淎nd then you have (goaltender) Mike Smith, whoB次元官网网址檚 40 years old. HeB次元官网网址檚 been in the conference finals twice in his career. ThatB次元官网网址檚 how special it is to be in this position. WeB次元官网网址檙e aware of that. It doesnB次元官网网址檛 happen every year.
B次元官网网址淲e want to take full advantage.B次元官网网址�
Because neither team knows when a similar opportunity will knock again.
Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
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