The Vancouver Canucks fell 4-3 in overtime of Game 2 against the Edmonton Oilers.
Despite a solid first 40 minutes, the Vancouver Canucks could not hold onto their third-period lead, falling 4-3 in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers. Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser and Nikita Zadorov provided the offence, while Artūrs Šilovs made 27 saves in the loss. The story of Game 2, however, was Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl as the two superstars carried Edmonton with matching four-point nights. In the end, the Oilers' top line outplayed whatever line they were matched up against, as the two teams headed back to Edmonton with the series tied.
The biggest issue for Vancouver in this game was their third period. The Canucks were outshot 15-2 and relied heavily on Artūrs Šilovs to keep the game tied. Truthfully, Vancouver was lucky to push this game to overtime, as McDavid and Draisaitl looked unstoppable in their over nine minutes of ice time in the third.
To wrap things up with a positive, the power play finally found the back of the net courtesy of Pettersson's first of the playoffs. The Canucks were able to enter the offensive zone with possession, set up which eventually led to J.T. Miller finding Pettersson from his spot. Hopefully, this will instill some confidence in the first unit as Vancouver looks to become more consistent with the man advantage throughout the series.
Quotes
J.T. Miller on the Canucks loss:
"I thought they were the better team today. I'm just speaking on behalf of my matchup. They outplayed us. We had an opportunity to maybe steal a game there, but they had a lot of time in our end. I don't know about the chances, but they were just winning battles along the wall. We have to be better in that area, and I think we won't be making their night as easy."
Elias Pettersson on the Oilers dominating play in the third:
"They made a push. They scored a goal off the rush. We got to be more careful with the pucks"
Rick Tocchet on potential fatigue in the third period and overtime:
"You overuse some guys. Some guys here, they gotta pick it up, too. I know they want to play, but you got to dig in. You can't be a liability. If you're not getting much ice time, there's a reason why. And we need some guys to pick it up a little bit."
Rick Tocchet on the Canucks third period:
"Too many guys were flipping pucks when we didn't have to. That's the only thing I didn't like about our team in the third. I guess that's playoff experience. If you have the puck with someone on your back, skate with it. Keep your heart rate down. I just felt as soon as somebody got it, they flipped it, like everybody. I think that there was plays to be made. We never gave them anything to defend, but that's what happens. Obviously, the third goal, you gotta know who's on the ice. You got to make sure you don't throw the blind pucks out and things like that. Hopefully, we learn from those mistakes."
Facts and Stats
- With his fourth goal of the postseason, Nikita Zadorov ties Gerald Diduck for the fourth most goals by a Canucks defender in a single playoffs
- Playing in his 25th career postseason game, Quinn Hughes became the fastest player in Canucks history to 20 playoff assists, passing Geoff Courtnall, who achieved the feat in 26 games
- Quinn Hughes (25 GP) became the third-fastest defenseman in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to 20 career assists, behind only Gary Suter (23 GP) and Adam Fox (24 GP)
- Canucks score their first power play goal since Game 3 of their series against the Nashville Predators
Scoring Summary
1st Period
VAN: 4:14- Elias Pettersson (1st) from J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes (PPG)
EDM: 10:56- Leon Draisaitl (6th) from Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (PPG)
2nd Period
VAN: 00:53- Brock Boeser (5th) from Carson Soucy and Nikita Zadorov
EDM: 1:16- Mattias Ekholm (2nd) from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl
VAN: 18:17- Nikita Zadorov (4) from J.T. Miller
3rd Period
EDM: 5:27- Connor McDavid (2nd) from Leon Draisatil and Evan Bouchard
Overtime
EDM: 5:38- Evan Bouchard (2nd) from Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid
Game 3: Sunday, May 12 @ 6:30 pm PT from Rogers Place
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