Oilers Explode in the Second, Shut Out Canucks in Statement Win
The Edmonton Oilers came into Vancouver on Saturday night and left no doubt about who was in control. After a quiet, scoreless first period, Edmonton erupted for six goals in the second and never looked back, cruising to a dominant shutout win over the Canucks.
Let’s break down how it unfolded - and who made it happen.
Tristan Jarry: Calm, Cool, and Perfect
This one starts and ends with goaltending, and Tristan Jarry was nothing short of sensational. The veteran netminder turned away all 31 shots he faced, notching the 23rd shutout of his career. And this wasn’t a soft 31, either.
He came up big early with back-to-back saves on Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser, then denied Vilander and O’Connor in tight during a critical stretch in the second. Jarry’s positioning was sharp, his rebound control was steady, and his right toe save on O’Connor late in the third was the exclamation point on a flawless night. He made the tough look routine - and that’s when you know a goalie is locked in.
Connor McDavid: The Quiet Catalyst
McDavid didn’t light up the scoresheet, but his fingerprints were all over this one. He set up Evan Bouchard for a power play look, then orchestrated the entry that led to the 2-0 goal. His puck control through traffic helped create the sixth goal, as he danced up the wall and fed the puck into the chaos that Podkolzin eventually buried.
He had a couple of slick setups in the third, including a feed to Walman that rang off the post. It wasn’t a headline night for McDavid, but it was a reminder of how much he tilts the ice - even when he’s not scoring.
Zach Hyman: Net-Front Presence Pays Off
Hyman was his usual relentless self around the crease. He had a couple of early chances, including a rebound off a Bouchard shot and a hard net drive midway through the first. His persistence paid off in the second when he redirected a Bouchard pass off a defender and in to make it 2-0.
Hyman kept pressing, with another rebound look on his next shift and a pass to Walman that nearly added to the tally. It was a classic Hyman performance - gritty, effective, and always around the puck.
Vasily Podkolzin: Making the Most of the Opportunity
Elevated to the top line, Podkolzin didn’t waste the moment. He followed McDavid into the zone and jumped on a loose puck, ripping it short side to cap off the six-goal second period. It was a confident finish, and he didn’t stop there - later in the third, he made a smart defensive play, diving to deflect a pass out of danger with the game well in hand.
Two shots, a hit, a block - and a goal that’ll boost his case for more top-line minutes.
Evan Bouchard: Quarterbacking the Offense
Bouchard was dialed in from the start. He weaved through the Canucks zone late in the first for a look, then kept firing with confidence. He fed Walman for a power play chance, then set up Hyman’s 2-0 goal with a crisp pass.
He added another setup for McDavid in the third and finished with four shots, a +2 rating, and plenty of poise. When Bouchard is moving the puck like this, the Oilers’ power play becomes a different animal.
Mattias Ekholm: The Backbone on the Blue Line
Ekholm was a stabilizing force all night. He didn’t put up flashy numbers, but his impact was clear - a couple of shots, a hit, a block, and a +4 rating. At 5-on-5, the Oilers dominated the high-danger chances 8-3 when he was on the ice.
He’s the kind of veteran presence that lets everyone else play their game, knowing the back end is secure.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: Nearly 1,000, Still Making Plays
In his 999th career game, Nugent-Hopkins stepped into the center role with Leon Draisaitl out - and he delivered. He sprung Kasperi Kapanen for a breakaway goal that made it 3-0, then followed it up with a gorgeous backhand setup on the 5-0 tally.
He was sharp in the faceoff circle and controlled play at even strength, finishing with a 63% Corsi For at 5v5. Just another reminder of his value, especially when the lineup needs a shuffle.
Trent Frederic: Energy and Efficiency
Promoted to the second line, Frederic brought a mix of physicality and touch. He fired a heavy slapper in the first, had a rebound chance in the second, and nearly tipped one in during the third. He finished +2 and led all Oilers in 5v5 Corsi For at 65%, a sign of how much time his line spent in the offensive zone.
He’s carving out a role as a reliable middle-six contributor with upside.
Final Word
This was as complete a performance as the Oilers have put together all season. A dominant second period, airtight goaltending from Jarry, and contributions up and down the lineup - it was the kind of win that sends a message. Vancouver never found their footing after the first, and Edmonton didn’t let them.
If the Oilers can bottle this - the structure, the depth scoring, the buy-in - they’re going to be a tough out for anyone down the stretch.