It probably was not the ending that many expected.
But it is certainly one the Colorado Avalanche will take.
Avalanche forward Darren Helm fired the puck past Blues goalie Ville Husso with 5.6 seconds left in the regulation to give the Avalanche a 3-2 win and a spot in the Western Conference Final against the Edmonton Oilers.
Colorado eliminated St. Louis four games to two and advanced to the conference finals for the first time since 2002.
Helm's goal gave the Avs their first lead of the game. After falling behind 1-0, the Avs got the equalizer from J.T. Compher at 5:19 of the second period.
Trailing 2-1 in the third, Compher struck again, getting a slap shot past Husso with 9:42 left in the third period.
In the second period, Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson made an terrific save in front of the net. Goalie Darcy Kuemper was to the left of the net trying to defend what he though would be a shot. Manson alertly slid into the crease and stopped a shot by the Blues to keep the St. Louis lead at 2-1.
The Avalanche knocked the Blues out of the playoffs for the second straight year. The Avs are now 8-3 in the postseason and 5-0 on the road in the first two series against Nashville and St. Louis.
MORE ON THE AVS WIN HERE
The Avalanche will host the Edmonton Oilers in game one of the Western Conference Final on Tuesday, May 31 at 6 p.m. mountain time.
Postgame comments from Avalanche forwards Nathan MacKinnon (first to speak) and Gabriel Landeskog.
Postgame comments from Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (first to speak) and forward Darren Helm.
Postgame comments from Avalanche forward J.T. Compher (first to speak) and goalie Darcy Kuemper.
Postgame comments from Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar.
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