The Edmonton Oilers fell to the Colorado Avalanche in overtime, with a 6-5 result that sealed the outcome in Game 4 of the NHL Western Conference Finals. The Avalanche took the series lead with a 4-0 sweep, leaving Edmonton without a comeback opportunity in the remaining games.
Heading into the conclusion of the series, Colorado established itself as the stronger team, leveraging depth, speed, and disciplined defense to dominate the matchups. The decisive moments came late in regulation and extended play, where the Avalanche managed to convert crucial chances and deny late Oilers pushes. This result helped shape the early expectations for the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs and set the stage for a championship run that captured attention across Canada and the United States. The outcome also underscored the importance of timely offense and goaltending consistency in high-stakes playoff hockey. [citation: NHL Playoffs Coverage]
As the Western Conference finals concluded, the fiercest question became which team would carry momentum into the Stanley Cup Final. The Avalanche advanced in a championship run that highlighted both star power and a disciplined, team-first approach. Their playoff journey demonstrated how depth players can rise to the occasion when the big names are matched up against top-tier opponents. For fans across North America, the series provided clear proof that playoff hockey demands endurance, strategic flexibility, and clutch performances in tight moments. [citation: NHL Stats]
For fans following the broader playoff landscape, the other half of the bracket highlighted a dramatic path to the final, with teams from different conferences jockeying for position. In the East, the series that would determine the opponent for the Avalanche featured storied franchises and a notable presence of Russian players making significant contributions to their teams. In Tampa Bay, goaltender Andrei Vasilevsky, defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, and winger Nikita Kucherov formed a core that played a pivotal role in the playoff push. For the New York Rangers, Russian forwards and goaltenders, including Alexander Georgiev and Igor Shesterkin, plus Artemi Panarin, supplied essential offense and stability in net. This mix of talent underscored how North American teams rely on both seasoned veterans and rising stars to navigate the pressure of late-season games. [citation: NHL Player Profiles]
With a possible Russian presence guaranteed on the ice in any Stanley Cup final, the 2022 season carried extra intrigue for fans in Canada and the United States who follow the sport closely. The narrative woven through these playoff rounds emphasized representation across the league, and it reminded everyone that international talent continues to shape the outcome of the sport at its highest level. While rumors of player movements and contract negotiations swirl during the off-season, the focus at the time remained on the on-ice battles that determined which team would lift the most coveted trophy in hockey. [citation: League Transactions]
Lastly, it was noted earlier that a prominent star associated with the Washington Capitals—Alexander Ovechkin—had been reported in the context of player movements. In 2022, his contract status and role within the league drew attention from fans and analysts alike as part of the broader conversation about leadership, legacy, and the future of the team. The league’s salary dynamics and contract arrangements continued to be a point of discussion for observers across North America. [citation: League Salary Reports]