Avalanche win series 3-2 over Blues, reaching Western Conference Finals

Colorado Avalanche defeated St. Louis Blues 3-2 at Enterprise Center in Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday. For the first time in 20 years, the Avalanche will make it to the Western Conference Finals.

Avalanche forward J.T. Compher scored twice, including one on the power play. Darcy Kuemper made 18 saves on 20 attempts as the Avalanche won the game. Jordan Kyrou and Justin Faulk netted goals for St. Louis. Blues goaltender Ville Husso saved 36 shots on 39 attempts in the loss.

Despite outshooting the Blues 13-8 in the first period, the Avalanche trailed by a 1-0 deficit following the first period. However, Colorado had some promising chances. Husso's play set the stage for a late-period push. After tying the score at 1-1, the Avalanche held the Blues to no more than one shot for over 11 minutes in the second period.

The Avalanche started the second period well but stumbled after failing to capitalize on a power play, and St. Louis took a 2-1 lead with just their second shot. After a pass from Brayden Schenn, Kyrou converted a 2-on-1 to give the Blues a 2-1 lead at 9:34 of the second period.

On the surface, it appeared that Game 6 would end in overtime. But Darren Helm wasn't going to let that happen. Avalance prevailed 3-2 in the series and advanced to the Western Conference finals when the veteran forward stepped into a slap shot that beat Husso on the glove side with 5.6 seconds to play.

Post-game interview

"We're only halfway to our goal," Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar said postgame. "We're just getting started."

This was Helm's second series-winning goal. Just 13 years ago, he clinched the Western Conference championship for the Detroit Red Wings by scoring an overtime goal in Game 5 against Chicago.

“We had three guys going hard to the net,” Helm said about his goal. “I was just kind of trailing. The pass bounced off the sidewall. I just wanted to get the puck on the net and it found its way.”

“We feel like we're a good team and we let that series slip,” Blues' forward Brayden Schenn said.

“It's tough, a tough way to end it. That's the way it goes. Our guys battle hard,” St. Louis coach Craig Berube added.

On Wednesday, the Blues beat Colorado 5-4 in overtime on a Tyler Bozak goal to force a Game 5. After the setback, the Avalanche responded with an impressive performance.

Highlight

- J.T. Compher scored both his goals in the postseason.

- Darren Helm notched his first playoff goal.

- Colorado ended the game 1-for-2 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.

- Andre Burakovsky made his comeback after being out for two games. Compher scored on his assist.

- Alex Newhook, Nico Sturm, Ryan Murray, Kurtis MacDermid, Samuel Girard, and Trent Miner did not play.

In the Western Conference Finals, the Avalanche will play the Edmonton Oilers. As of now, no date or time has been set for Game 1. But, Colorado is set to host Games 1 and 2, having won the Western Conference in the regular season.