The Vancouver Canucks began their six-game homestand with a date against the Edmonton Oilers, their first meeting since Game 7 of the second round of the 2024 playoffs. and tight and finished like a rash as the Oilers used a strong third period to win 7-3, led by Connor BrownBoth goals and three-point efforts from Connor McDavid and Mattias Janmark.

Game Summary

For the seventh straight game, the Canucks allowed the opposition to open the scoring as the Oilers got on the board first thanks to an early goal from Leon Draisaitl. Right at the end of a power play, he was left alone to score his 10th in front of Kevin Lankinen who was scrambling to find the puck after a blockage in front of the net. The first period itself was very close overall, with the two Pacific Division rivals competing for every inch of the ice like it was a playoff game. The Oilers ended up outscoring the Canucks 10-7 in the first period.

Unlike the first period, which was tight and somewhat boring, the second was more exciting, with both teams igniting their attacks. The Oilers took a 3-0 lead on goals from Corey Perry and Viktor Arvidsson 1:13 apart only to see the Canucks respond with goals from Elias Pettersson and Filip Hronek 1:59 apart. In total, the Oilers and Canucks scored four goals in 3:30, making it a one-goal game going into the third.

The final period started with a close 3-2 game and quickly turned into a blowout. The Oilers blew the doors off the Canucks and the usually solid Lankinen to the tune of four unanswered goals. It started with Connor Brown at 6:10, then Connor McDavid at 7:16, Brett Kulak at 8:08 and finally another one from Brown at 11:05. In total, it took 4:55 to turn a 3-2 game into a 7-2 laugh. Lankinen was thankfully pulled after Brown’s second goal after allowing seven goals on 27 shots, giving way to Arturs Silovs. Pius Suter scored a third goal for the Canucks late, but that only made the scoreline a little more enjoyable to watch – but not by much. Overall, the Oilers dominated the third period as they outscored the Canucks 15-6 and outscored them 4-1. Skinner allowed three goals on 20 shots, but came away with the victory.

What’s next for the Canucks and Oilers

The Canucks continue their home game against another Alberta team, the Calgary Flames, on Tuesday for their second matchup of the season. They have struggled at home so far with a 1-2-3 record and a surprising 13 goals allowed in their last two at Rogers Arena, losing to the New Jersey Devils 6-0 on October 30 and 7-3 tonight against the Oilers. They will look to turn things around against the Flames on Tuesday.

The Oilers will return home to face the New York Islanders, also on Tuesday, after arguably their best offensive game of the season so far.