Canucks Overmatch Oilers in 3-2 Game 5 Win

Every round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs has a series that leaves a lasting impact, where people say: “Wow, do you remember THAT matchup?” Through five contests, the Edmonton Oilers versus Vancouver Canucks tilt is shaping up to be the one that defines Round 2 of the 2024 Playoffs. More storylines developed and unfolded at Rogers Arena on Thursday night, with the host Canucks earning a 3-2 win for a 3-2 series advantage. Here’s how it went down.

For Once, the Canucks Dominate the Oilers

In a series that Vancouver now leads 3-2, it’s strange to note that the club had yet to put in a defining, dominant effort. They played great at times, making key plays to win two games. No one disputes that. But many were waiting for that night when they could confidently state that their side simply outplayed Connor McDavid and company. Funny enough, despite that Game 5’s final score was a narrow 3-2, it was, in fact, a dominant performance. 

After capping off a dramatic win 48 hours earlier, Edmonton looked like the better side in the first period. Solid pressure in Vancouver’s zone allowed Evander Kane to punch home a one-timer from just a few feet out of Arturs Silovs’ crease, thanks to a slick pass from behind the Vancouver net. Even though Carson Soucy helped the Canucks respond as the period drew to a close, the Oilers struck again shortly after. Worse, their second goal came after Soucy coughed up the puck and fell while Vancouver was pressing.  

But whatever was said by head coach Rock Tocchet in the intermission, it worked. No one watching Game 5 could deny that Vancouver looked like the superior outfit for the remaining 40 minutes. They rang the puck off the post and were still sent to the penalty box a few times (more on that later), but when J.T. Miller tapped one into a gaping net with 33 seconds left, it was well deserved. 

Vancouver stifled the Edmonton power play, which went 0-for-5 on the night, and the Canucks played a rare game in which they not only had over 30 shots, but they also outshot their opponents by a comfortable margin (35-23). Wins like in Games 1 and 3 felt more in line with how some would have predicted the Canucks could outduel the Oilers. Game 5 suggested they may simply be the superior club when all is said and done. 

Elias Pettersson Regains Some Form

Elias Pettersson was a mystery against the Nashville Predators in Round 1, and he’s been one again in this series. With 10 playoff games in the books, it was high time he became more involved in the battle. Tocchet had toyed with his lines, and in Game 4, Pettersson was placed alongside Ilya Mikheyev and Linus Karlsson, but that didn’t bear fruit. 

On Thursday, his linemates were Nils Hoglander and Elias Lindholm to start the game. Whether that produced a spark, or what Tocchet whispered in Pettersson’s ears on the bench during Game 4, or even a private meeting in the 48 hours between the contests, the Swede was a different player last night. He was fast, clever with the puck, hounded the net, and created solid scoring chances. He looked like the player who, months ago, signed an eight-year extension worth a king’s ransom.