Oilers Goalie Mike Smith Was Doing So Well...Then The Avalanche Scored 3 Goals In Just Over 2 Minutes

AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images. Getty Images.

Edmonton Oilers goalie Mike Smith has had his woes in series openers, so when he got pulled early upon allowing six goals in the Western Conference Final opener in Colorado, it wasn't a total stunner.

Smith had all the makings of a bounce-back performance in Thursday's Game 2 in the works. He'd stopped all 16 Avalanche shots and was rolling right along in the second period. Then, the Avs woke the fuck up from their offensive slumber and absolutely erupted on the 40-year-old netminder.

When it comes to long-range shots near the blue line with little traffic in front, it's imperative to stop those relative gimmes. Unfortunately, Smith slipped up and let Artturi Lehkonen on the board, which opened the floodgates.

Only 15 seconds later, Nazem Kadri helped set up Josh Manson's goal to suddenly stretch Edmonton's deficit to 2-0:

Kadri had yet another assist on the NEXT goal by Mikko Rantanen…and Spittin' Chiclets beat me to the best pun to describe this whole situation:

Damn how quickly things can change. While the Oilers obviously have the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl spearheading their offense, this entire sequence is a testament to just how deep Colorado is and how many different ways they can beat you. Incredible stuff. 

Edmonton has been resilient throughout its run to the Conference Final. Let's see if McDavid and Draisaitl can pick up their embattled goalie, recover from a 4-0 loss, and rally from this 0-2 series deficit back home.