The NHL's 2022 conference finals are finally here. Up first on the schedule are the best of the West.
The Avalanche and Oilers will begin the Western Conference finals Tuesday night in Denver. This is Colorado's first conference finals appearance since 2001. The Avs won the Stanley Cup that year. Edmonton last made the conference finals in 2006. It advanced to the Stanley Cup Final, where it fell to Carolina.
Of course, the biggest storyline heading into the series is superstars Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon playing each other.
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McDavid has been sensational during this postseason run, recording 26 points in just 12 games. The Oilers captain had the OT winner in Game 5 against the Flames to send Edmonton to the conference finals. He, along with teammate Leon Draisaitl (also 26), have a stranglehold on the playoff points lead.
MacKinnon did his part for Colorado through the first two rounds. His 13 points in 10 games put him in a tie with Cale Makar for the team lead, while his eight goals rank first. The star center had a hat trick in Game 5 against the Blues, nearly winning the game single-handedly for the Avs before they lost in OT. It was only their second of the postseason.
Now, NHL fans are being treated to the two elite talents playing on the same ice sheet. Of course, there is plenty of other star power in this series, including Draisaitl and Makar.
Here is everything you need to know to watch Game 1 between the Avalanche and Oilers.
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What channel is Avalanche vs. Oilers Game 1 on?
- Date: Tuesday, May 31
- TV channel: TNT (U.S.) | Sportsnet, CBC (Canada)
- Live stream: Sling TV
Game 1 of the Avalanche vs. Oilers series will air on TNT in the United States. Viewers in Canada can catch the game on Sportsnet and CBC.
Viewers in the U.S. can stream every NHL playoff game live on Sling TV. With the Sling Orange Sports Extra package, they can get $10 off their first month now with access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and TNT. NHL playoff games on ABC are simulcast on ESPN3, which is included with Sling Orange, available for $35 per month ($25 the first month for new subscribers).
Avalanche vs. Oilers Game 1 start time
- Date: Tuesday, May 31
- Time: 8 p.m. ET | 6 p.m. MT
Game 1 of the Avalanche vs. Oilers series is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 31. The game will be played at Ball Arena in Denver, home of the Avalanche.
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Avalanche vs. Oilers Game 1 odds
- Puckline: Avalanche -1.5 (+140) | Oilers +1.5 (-168)
- Moneyline: Avalanche -168 | Oilers +140
The Avalanche open as favorites to not only win the series, but to take Game 1 as well.
Colorado jumped out to a 1-0 series lead against both Nashville and St. Louis in the first two rounds, while Edmonton fell behind to both Los Angeles and Calgary in their previous two series.
Odds provided by Sports Interaction.
Avalanche-Oilers series schedule
| Date | Site | Time (ET) | TV |
| Tue., May 31 | at Colorado | 8 p.m. | TNT, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports |
| Thu., June 2 | at Colorado | 8 p.m. | TNT, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports |
| Sat., June 4 | at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports |
| Mon., June 6 | at Edmonton | 8 p.m. | TNT, Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports |
| *Wed., June 8 | at Colorado | TBD | TBD |
| *Fri., June 10 | at Edmonton | TBD | TBD |
| *Sun., June 12 | at Colorado | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary.
