Oilers' D Faces Avalanche Buzzsaw

The Oilers roll into Colorado knowing one slip against the Avalanche exposes every crack in their blue line that Ken Holland's crew has papered over all season. McDavid and Draisaitl can light lamps all night, but if the Avs' forecheck turns this into a track meet, Edmonton's playoff dreams hit a wall faster than a rookie in traffic. Front offices from Vancouver to Vegas circle these games like sharks, because a defensive meltdown here reshapes the Pacific wild-card scrum with just weeks to go.