Oilers' comeback effort falls short as Avalanche move 1 win away from Stanley Cup final

J.T. Compher scored with 7:18 left in regulation as the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-2 on Saturday to take a 3-0 stranglehold on the NHL's Western Conference final.

After the Avalanche killed off his tripping penalty midway through the third period, the centre rejoined the play, fought off Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard and beat Mike Smith between the pads for his fifth goal of the playoffs.

Valeri Nichushkin, with two, and Mikko Rantanen, into an empty net, had the other goals for Colorado. Devon Toews added two assists.

Colorado is now one win from the franchise's first Stanley Cup Final berth since winning its second title in 2001.

Connor McDavid and Ryan McLeod replied for Edmonton, which will look to extend its season Monday in Game 4 back at Rogers Arena. Smith made 39 saves.

WATCH | Compher scores eventual winner as Avalanche take 3-0 lead:

Only four NHL teams have ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a seven-game series. The Los Angeles Kings were the last to accomplish the feat in the first round of the 2014 playoffs against the San Jose Sharks.

Down 2-1 entering the final period and with their season on the line, McLeod scored his third at 7:34 when took a pass from Brett Kulak, moved into the Colorado zone and fired a shot from distance that fooled Francouz.

Cloudy with a chance of a goal... this <a href="https://twitter.com/ryan10mcleod?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ryan10mcleod</a> tally is our Shot of the Night.