Oilers Win Crazy One In Vancouver

The Edmonton Oilers took the ice Thursday evening for their second game of the 2026-27 season. They wasted no time settling the score with the Vancouver Canucks, coming away with a wild 9-7 victory. Let’s take a closer look at everything that unfolded in this high-scoring affair.

The Oilers got off to a strong start. They opened the scoring midway through the first period. Vasily Podkolzin made it 1-0 on the power play. It was his third goal of the season. Five minutes later, Owen Michaels made it 2-0. It was his first NHL goal. Mathieu Joseph set him up with a slick pass from behind the net. It was Joseph’s first point as an Oiler. It also marked the 100th assist of his NHL career.

Oilers and Bouchard Keep it Going

Just 16 seconds later, the Oilers made it a three-goal lead. Evan Bouchard’s point shot took a few bounces before finding the back of the net. It was his fourth goal of the season. In the final minute of the first period, Ryan Shea scored his first goal as an Oiler.

Early in the second period, Leon Draisaitl scored his first of the season. Evan Bouchard picked up the assist. Four minutes later, Paul Cotter scored his third of the season for Vancouver. Trent Frederic answered just over 30 seconds later with his first of the season.

The scoring didn’t end there. Brock Boeser fired a shot past Devon Levi. It hit the post and went in. The goal came just 43 seconds after Frederic’s marker. On his next shift, Frederic took a penalty. But the Oilers made the Canucks pay. Edmonton scored twice while shorthanded. Connor McDavid scored first. Kasperi Kapanen followed. Both goals were their first of the season.

Canucks Fight Back

But the Canucks weren’t going away quietly. With just 0.2 seconds remaining in the second period, Arshdeep Bains cut the deficit to 8-3, giving Vancouver a much-needed spark heading into the intermission.

That momentum carried into the third. Just two minutes into the final frame, Marco Rossi struck again to make it 8-4. Rossi wasn’t finished, adding his second of the night three minutes later. Then forward Elias Pettersson joined the comeback effort, scoring to bring Vancouver within two at 8-6. Suddenly, what looked like a runaway Edmonton victory had turned into a hockey game.

Thankfully for Edmonton, the Oilers managed to add some insurance in the third. Leon Draisaitl buried his second of the night midway through the period, cashing in on the power play to restore a two-goal cushion. That proved to be the difference-maker, as Vancouver answered with just 72 seconds remaining, but the Canucks couldn’t find another one before the final horn.