Yeah, it’s only one game, but watching the Canucks beat the Oilers 6-5 in overtime of the season opener on Tuesday, one couldn’t help but think, “jeepers, more of the same from the Oil’?!”
Defensive lapses and sketchy goaltending.
Then again, as we pointed out last week about early season NHL preparation and match-ups, this type of performance and result isn’t completely unexpected.
In the meantime, a view from the Canucks perspective is much rosier: Staunch physical play, resilience after blowing a 5-2 lead in the third period, and solid goaltending. Kevin Lankinen made some big saves when needed most.
At the other end, Tristan Jarry received a boisterous “Bronx cheer” from his sarcastic home crowd after making a routine save, one that came just after he gave up three goals in 4:04 of the third period. Those tallies put the Canucks up 5-2.
In the end, a happy night for Vancouver head coach Manny Malhotra in his NHL coaching debut; a not-so happy finish for Mike Babcock in his Oilers christening on the other bench.
There almost felt like a good guy vs. bad guy, hero and villain element to that coaching match-up, with the protagonist coming out ahead in the end.
Enjoy it while you can Canucks fans. The Oilers will be hungry for revenge in the rematch Thursday night at Rogers Arena.
Last season Edmonton opened the season with a shoot-out loss to the Calgary Flames. They followed it up with a 3-1 win in Vancouver three nights later.
The Oilers will try to repeat that performance, while the Canucks have no pressure whatsoever in going for the home-and-home sweep.
NOTES: Former Canucks winger Vasily Podkolzin scored two goals in the game. Oilers D-man Evan Bouchard posted a five point night with three goals and two assists. It was the first opening night hat trick for any team’s D-man since Mark Howe scored three goals for the Hartford Whalers in 1980.
Despite giving up five goals, Lankinen finished with 32 saves. Paul Cotter scored the first and last goal of the night for Vancouver. His game winner came at 1:59 of OT. D-men Filip Hronek and Jamie Oleksiak both had two point nights, although the “Big Rig” finished a minus-3.
Earlier Canucks:
— Canucks PR Poisons Writers Association
