DENVER, CO - The journey back to the National Hockey League summit is hardly ever a linear one and few teams know that as well as the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche.
Years of expectations and tribulations for the two teams have finally led to this Western Conference Finals matchup. According to the Oilers Head Coach, it has been those prior experiences along the way that has made this Tuesday's Game 1 conflict a reality.
"It's not something that is built immediately, it's built brick by brick," Head Coach Jay Woodcroft said. "We had a philosophy that success is built sequentially. We just wanted to stack a good day on top of a good day. A lot of the local media that are here right now have heard me say ad nauseum that we want to take care of the day's business. If we take care of things on a day-to-day, the outcomes will take care of themselves."
The outcomes are finally falling in the Oilers and Avalanche's favour. Both teams are bolstered by some of the game's brightest stars, but the deep post-season runs that turn those players into legends has so far eluded both squads.
It's the cruel consequences of a 32-team league filled with so much parity. Despite the level of success that any playoff team will experience over the course of a season, for all but one the ending will be marred with failure. According to the Oilers architect, it's the lessons learned that sets up a team for eventual post-season triumph.
FEATURE: Oilers and Avalanche built for success
Years of playoff setbacks have helped the Oilers and Avalanche journey towards the NHL post-season summit
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