By The Numbers: Oilers, Avs to square off in matchup of offensive juggernauts

The NHL's Western Conference Final begins Tuesday night in Denver as the Colorado Avalanche host the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1. 

This seven-game series will feature tremendous firepower, highlighted by arguably the two most exciting players in the game today in Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon. Not to mention the likes of Leon Draisaitl, Evander Kane, Nazem Kadri, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar. 

"It's going to be exciting," Avs general manger Joe Sakic told the media on Monday. "They got some world class players there. Two of the best in the game. So do we. Both teams have great depth up and down the lineup that have gotten contributions. I just think for the league, if you're a fan of the game you're going to enjoy this series." 

They etch masterpieces into a 200-by-85 canvas, creating art in real time. They make this Western Conference Final seem even bigger, not a series as much as an event. The last time the NHL offered a playoff showdown between above-the-marquee names was 2018, the third of the Crosby and Ovechkin spring trilogy, but McDavid vs. MacKinnon sort of has that new playoff smell.

The stats give hockey fans plenty of reasons to be excited as well. 

For the first time in 34 years, and just the fifth time in history, a final-four matchup in the Stanley Cup playoffs will feature two teams with a goals-per-game average of 4.3 or higher. Colorado sits at 4.3 while the Oilers are scoring 4.33 goals per game this spring in the playoffs. 

This year's Western Final also marks the first time in Stanley Cup playoffs history that a series will feature the top four active skaters on the career playoff points-per-game list with a minimum of 30 games played. 

McDavid, 25, is just one point away from securing 150