SUMMARY: Oilers 2 – Canucks 0 (1st period)
The Oilers-Canucks duel is the last second round series to get underway on Wednesday in Vancouver.
The two teams haven’t met in the playoffs since 1992 and Edmonton has won both meetings to date. It is therefore only a third meeting which begins this evening..
Zach Hyman picked up where he left off by scoring his eighth goal of the playoffs to open the scoring on the OIlers power play just 2:11 into the game. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins handed him the puck while he was left alone at the mouth of the net.
The Oilers are 4-0 when scoring the first goal in this series. They have scored higher in each meeting so far and have an impressive efficiency of almost 50%.
The Canucks responded with some hard-hitting hits and a breakaway from Conor Garland which was however stopped by goaltender Stuart Skinner.
Unlike Hyman, Mattias Eklholm had the pleasure of tasting his first goal to make it 2-0 at the end of the period.
Pre-match notes
Vancouver swept all four meetings against the Oilers in the regular season this year. Quinn Hughes collected eight points at their expense and he has 7 in the current series.
The Canucks were somewhat unrecognizable in the first round, barely defeating the Nashville Predators in six games. Goals were rare and so were shots on net for the Pacific Division winners.
The Oilers eliminated the Los Angeles Kings in five games. Their best players did the job: Connor McDavid (12 points), Leon Draisaitl (10), Evan Bouchard (9) and Zach Hyman (7 goals).
Arturs Silovs will try to continue his great story, while the Canucks’ third goalie will face Stuart Skinner in front of the cage.
Coach Rick Tocchet also indicated that forward Elias Pettersson will be in uniform after missing Tuesday’s practice due to a virus.
For the Oilers, Adam Henrique, who had a goal and an assist in the first round, will not be in the game due to a lower body injury. Connor Brown will take his place in the lineup.
