Oilers hoping for another Game 2 response against Avs

DENVER — Jay Woodcroft stood at the microphone after a Game 1 setback against the Los Angeles Kings and vowed his team would respond.

The Edmonton Oilers interim head coach did the same following a chaotic defeat at the hands of the Calgary Flames to open the second round.

He was at it again Wednesday in the wake of yet another disappointing start to a playoff series — this time against the Colorado Avalanche in the curtain-raiser of what's already a wild Western Conference final.

Unlike the Kings and Flames, however, the NHL's second-best team in the regular season can match or exceed Edmonton's star power, speed and skill.

That was on full display Tuesday as the Avalanche sliced and diced the Oilers' defensive structure on the way building a 7-3 lead in the second period. The visitors desperately fought back to get within a goal only to have a late empty-netter seal an 8-6 result.

"This team has lost three (Game 1s)," Woodcroft said during a morning media availability at the team's hotel. "I can't tell you that we haven't done that — that's a fact.

"We know we can be better, just like we could be better after Game 1 versus L.A., just like we could be better after Game 1 versus Calgary."

The problem for the Oilers is this: the Avalanche are not their last two opponents.

Edmonton had to unlock the Kings' strong commitment to clogging the neutral zone in order to win that series in seven games.

Against their provincial rivals — the first post-season Battle of Alberta in 31 years — the Oilers' superior skating, quickness and elite-level talent meant the Flames could never establish their grinding style.

Connor McDavid, first in the playoff scoring race with 29 points in 13 games, and Leon Draisaitl, one back of his