Stanley Cup Playoffs Open Thread: May 18, 2024

With the Colorado Avalanche season over, it’s time to sit back and watch hockey. Even if it doesn’t involve Avs fans' favorite teams, at least this matchup tonight could determine who fans will be rooting for against the Dallas Stars.

The Vancouver Canucks currently lead the series against the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 with a late clutch goal in Game Five by J.T. Miller. If Vancouver can seal the deal, they will reach the Western Conference Final for the first time since 2011 with former Av defenders Nikita Zadorov and Ian Cole.

Meanwhile, Edmonton has not been at its best, with questionable goaltending and Connor McDavid not being the freak of nature he is in this series. They’ll need everything to go right at home Saturday night to force Game Seven back in British Columbia on Monday night.

Edmonton Oilers Projected Lines

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) - Connor McDavid (97) - Zach Hyman (18)
Dylan Holloway (55) - Leon Draisaitl (29) - Evander Kane (91)
Warren Foegele (37) - Ryan McLeod (71) - Corey Perry (90)
Mattias Janmark (13) - Derek Ryan (10) - Connor Brown (28)

Mattias Ekholm (14) - Evan Bouchard (2)
Darnell Nurse (25) - Vincent Desharnais (73)
Brett Kulak (27) - Cody Ceci (5)

Stuart Skinner (74)

Vancouver Canucks Projected Lines

Nils Hoglander (21) - Elias Lindholm (23) - Elias Pettersson (40)
Pius Suter (24) - J.T. Miller (9) - Brock Boeser (6)
Dakota Joshua (81) - Teddy Blueger (53) - Conor Garland (8)
Phil Di Giuseppe (34) - Nils Aman (88) - Vasily Podkolzin (92)

Quinn Hughes (43) - Filip Hronek (17)
Carson Soucy (7) - Tyler Myers (57)
Nikita Zadorov (91) - Ian Cole (82)

Arturs Silovs (31)

Follow along with the game in the comments below!