Vancouver Canucks 5, Edmonton Oilers 2.
The Canucks survived an early Oilers power play and withstood an early 9-0 shot deficit, but by the time the 1st period was over, Edmonton held a 2-0 lead anyway. Derek Ryan scored on a breakaway and Connor McDavid scored from in front of the net with five seconds remaining for his NHL leading 30th goal of the season.
Collin Delia made eleven stops in the period in his first ever start as a Canucks goalie.
Hand it to the Canucks for coming out for the second period with some life.
J.T. Miller scored just 41-seconds into the stanza with his point streak against the Oilers extended to nine games.
The Canucks earned a power play chance at 6:40. They had plenty of looks and a few chances, but failed to click. Delia stopped Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on a shorthanded breakaway. RNH went backhand deke and Delia stoned him.
Vancouver would get another power play late in the period and they’d capitalize. Miller again, this time on a rebound against Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner.
Canucks Goal Scorers
2nd Period
2-1 Oilers – Even Strength – J.T. Miller – from Conor Garland and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, :41
A one-time snap shot from the high slot hit Skinner in the chest, popped in the air, and dropped in behind him.
2-2 – Power Play – J.T. Miller – from Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat, 18:33
Miller bangs home his own rebound in front off the right pad of Skinner.
Turning Point
It almost seemed like the Oilers thought the game was over after McDavid scored in the final seconds of the first period. Instead of coming out in the second and adding to their lead in an effort to cruise to victory, it was the Canucks who put forth the effort.
The Oilers instead found themselves in a legitimate battle in the 3rd period against a goalie who was feeling very good about himself.
No laughing matter when one looks at the Pacific Division standings. A win for the Canucks in regulation and they creep within five points of the Oilers with two games in hand. On the flipside, a win of any sort for the Oilers and they’re tied with the 3rd place Seattle Kraken with 40 points. (The Kraken have three games in hand)
The Oilers put themselves in a perilous spot and they paid the price.
3-2 Canucks – Even Strength – Bo Horvat (23) from Conor Garland and Tyler Myers, 12:25
Horvat scooped up a big carom off the end boards and tucked it into an empty net as RNH failed to stop him.
4-2 Canucks – Even Strength – Ilya Mikheyev (11) from Bo Horvat, 17:19
On a nice battle win and feed from Horvat, Mikheyev ripped one high gloveside on a one-timer.
5-2 Canucks – Even Strength (Empty netter) – Bo Horvat (24) from Elias Pettersson and Tyler Myers, 19:19
Self explanatory following a successful clear and Horvat alone for an easy one.
A key to this game: The Oilers top ranked NHL power play went 0-for-3 on the evening. The Canucks went 1-for-2.
Shots on goal favoured the Oilers 33-30:
Canucks 3 Stars:
1) J.T. Miller – Two goals and peak compete levels. Led forwards in ice time.
2) Collin Delia – It’s over early if it’s not for the Canucks goaltender who made 31 stops.
3) Bo Horvat – Two goals (one empty netter) and two assists.
