Avalanche win in OT of Game 4 to sweep Oilers, reach Final

Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen (62) celebrates his goal against the Edmonton Oilers with forward Logan O'Connor (25) and defenseman Devon Toews (7) during overtime in game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place. Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports

Avalanche win in overtime of Game 4 to sweep Oilers, reach Stanley Cup Final

By Adam Stites | Last updated 6/7/22

The Colorado Avalanche are headed to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 21 years after sweeping the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final.

Colorado finished the series Monday with an overtime winner in Game 4 from Artturi Lehkonen to give the Avalanche a 6-5 win.

Artturi Lehkonen sends the @Avalanche to the #StanleyCup Final! pic.twitter.com/2KT4CWO855
— NHL (@NHL) June 7, 2022

After a review, officials determined Lehkonen's stick was not above his shoulders when he knocked the puck down to himself in front of Oilers goaltender Mike Smith.

Just one goal was scored in the first 27 minutes Monday before a high-scoring shootout broke out in the second and third periods. Edmonton scored three straight in the second period to take a 3-1 lead. The Avalanche responded by outscoring the Oilers, 4-2, in the third period to force overtime.

Colorado's Cale Makar scored the team's first goal of the game and assisted on four of the Avalanche's next five goals, including the overtime winner. Makar became the first defenseman since 1994 to record five points in a playoff game. Oilers star Connor McDavid scored one goal and recorded two assists in the loss.

The Avalanche finished the season with the best record in the Western Conference and are now 12-2 in the playoffs. Colorado will face either the New York Rangers or Tampa Bay Lighting in the Stanley Cup Final. The Rangers currently lead the Eastern Conference Final, 2-1.

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