Oilers vs. Canucks preview, Digi Mart USA News (Edmonton, Alberta): The Edmonton Oilers continue their four-game homestand at Rogers Place on Saturday with a visit from the Vancouver Canucks. The game is scheduled for 9:00 PM MT and can be watched live on Sportsnet or heard on the Oilers Radio Network, including 880CHED.
The Oilers look to respond to Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, which opened the homestand. Connor McDavid recorded a goal and three assists to extend his assist and point streaks to 17 games, while Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also contributed multiple points.
Six minor penalties and four unanswered Anaheim goals proved decisive, despite late Edmonton goals. Forward Vasily Podkolzin was ejected early with a game misconduct after reacting to Drew Helleson cross-checking captain Connor McDavid into the Anaheim net, leaving the Oilers with 11 forwards for the rest of the night.
Kasperi Kapanen’s power-play goal and Draisaitl’s goal at six-on-five with 35 seconds left in regulation brought the score to 5-4, but Edmonton could not tie it with the extra attacker and forced overtime was not achieved. The Oilers, who began the season 11-3-3, will try to return to winning ways.
Vancouver has lost four straight and sits last in the NHL’s Western Conference with a 3-14-1 record, its worst 18-game start in franchise history. The Canucks were beaten 6-2 by the Winnipeg Jets, their fifth game this season allowing at least six goals.
Statistically, the Oilers have outscored opponents 21-8 in the first period and average an NHL-best 4.12 goals per game. The Canucks have the league’s worst goals-against average at 4.61 per game and have been outscored 27-14 in first periods.
The teams have already combined for 27 goals in their season series: a 6-5 overtime Vancouver win on opening night and a 9-7 Edmonton win on Oct. 1 in Vancouver. Saturday’s game is also Hockey Fights Cancer Night at Rogers Place, which the EOCF and Alberta Cancer Foundation support with The Time Store.
