Just like that, the Edmonton Oilers will return to Alberta’s capital with a series split. On Friday evening, the team beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 in overtime to win Game 2.
The Canucks opened the scoring in the first period, as Elias Pettersson was left all alone on the doorstep, beating Stuart Skinner for the 1-0 lead. This was the first goal on the penalty kill the Oilers have allowed this postseason.
EDM VAN G2. May 10, 2024. Elias Petterson goal. 1-0. : Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/xYLEd3w6FJ
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) May 11, 2024
However, the Oilers answered back midway through the first period, as Connor McDavid found Leon Draisaitl all alone in the slot, burying it to tie the game.
EDM VAN G2. May 10, 2024. Leon Draisaitl power play goal. 1-1. : Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/3PNSCSW1x7
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) May 11, 2024
Early in the first period, there were coincidental minors. Off the faceoff in the Oilers zone, Carson Soucy took a shot with Brock Boeser getting a deflection on it in the high slot. Skinner expected a high shot, but the puck went under his pad.
EDM VAN G2. May 10, 2024. Brock Boeser goal. 2-1. : Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/jFyRd1fioK
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) May 11, 2024
It didn’t matter though, as the Oilers immediately answered on a broken play. The puck found its way in front of the net, with Ekholm burying it for his second goal in as many games. Draisaitl and McDavid picked up the assists.
EDM VAN G2. May 10, 2024. Mattias Ekholm goal. 2-2. : Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/Nq2AOwZTPn
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) May 11, 2024
Towards the end of the period, the Canucks likely should’ve been called for too many men, but weren’t. The player that came on last, Nikita Zadorov, took a shot from an impossible angle, beating Skinner above the shoulder. This is one that needed to be saved.
EDM VAN G2. May 10, 2024. Nikita Zadorov goal. 2-3. : Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/rcRH7LhUdn
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) May 11, 2024
Edmonton tied the game with about 14 minutes left, as McDavid manufactured a breakaway with a good stick, beating Artūrs Šilovs cleanly. After dominating the rest of the third period, this goal sent the game to overtime.
EDM VAN G2. May 10, 2024. Connor McDavid goal. 3-3. : Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/TiYOVQD6ER
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) May 11, 2024
Thankfully, it was the Edmonton Oilers winning it in overtime, as Evan Bouchard just fired it towards the net, getting a fortunate deflection off the stick of Ian Cole. The series is tied at one.
EDM VAN G2. May 10, 2024. Evan Bouchard overtime winner. 4-3. : Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/7iaBuwjVFz
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) May 11, 2024
Things worth mentioning…
It was a feisty game, with numerous scrums after whistles, especially during the second period. One happened after a delay of game penalty for absolutely no reason at all. You have to love playoff hockey.
EDM VAN G2. May 10, 2024. Scrum late in second period. : Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/5QzLrdB8xm
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) May 11, 2024
The refs had an awful game , as there were many missed calls in the first two periods, including two boarding calls, and a pretty obvious high stick to the face of Quinn Hughes. Not only that, but some of the calls were questionable, including the “hold” on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the first period.
EDM VAN G2. May 10, 2024. Connor McDavid high stick on Quinn Hughes, no call. : Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/u8sHk41V7J
— Nation Network Media (@NationNMedia) May 11, 2024
Putting Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid together on the same line paid off, as each of them had a goal and three assists. The bad news is that both of them played over 27 minutes, which is a bit worrisome moving forward.
Stuart Skinner didn’t have the bounce-back game we were hoping for, as he saved 16 shots on 19 attempts for a .842 save percentage. The third goal is ugly, and he’ll need to dial it up as the series progresses.
Up next: The series shifts to Edmonton on Sunday, as that game will be held at 7:30 PM MT. The Oilers now have home-ice advantage in the best-of-five series, as they have three more home games remaining.
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