Colorado Avalanche shut down Connor McDavid, shut out Edmonton Oilers for 2-0 lead in Western Conference finals

DENVER — Connor McDavid has dominated the NHL postseason to date. But even he is feeling the pressure to perform after the Edmonton Oilers were shut out 4-0 by the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals on Thursday, to fall behind 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.

«I probably haven't been at the top of my game here,» McDavid said. «They've done a good job limiting our chances. They found a way to break through [tonight]. We didn't.»

Edmonton has been powered by its superstars throughout the playoffs, and McDavid has been particularly impressive. He paces all playoff skaters with 29 points in 14 games and was a dominant force in the Oilers' second-round series victory over the Calgary Flames.

McDavid did notch one goal and three points in Game 1 against the Avalanche, an 8-6 loss for the Oilers. But like everyone else on Edmonton's bench, he was minimized in Game 2 by a relentless Colorado team that dictated much of the game with quick transition play and rush chances.

Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft had tried to spark the Oilers by spreading out his top skaters, putting McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on separate lines to start Game 2. Draisaitl slotted in with Kailer Yamamoto and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, while McDavid paired with Evander Kane and Zach Hyman.

The change didn't have the desired effect on Edmonton as a whole.

«We did some things to move the chess pieces around,» Woodcroft said. «We didn't do enough to make it hard on the opposing goaltender; we had some chances but not nearly enough. Tonight didn't go our way, but we'll go back to the drawing board.»

Game 1 was such an offense-heavy affair, both sides committed to better defense in Game 2. That came somewhat to fruition in a scoreless first