Oilers blow 3-goal lead, fall 6-5 in OT to Canucks in season opener
Evan Bouchard scored three goals and added two assists in a losing effort at Rogers Place, where Prime Minister Mark Carney was among the crowd for Edmonton's home opener.
The Edmonton Oilers opened their season with a 6-5 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night at Rogers Place, blowing a three-goal third-period lead before falling in extra time. Paul Cotter scored twice for Vancouver, including the winner 1:59 into overtime, becoming the first player in Canucks history to score a short-handed goal in his team debut.
Edmonton defenceman Evan Bouchard had a standout night with three goals and two assists, becoming the first Oilers defenceman to score multiple goals in a season opener and just the third NHL blueliner ever to record a hat trick in a season-opening game. Vasily Podkolzin added two goals for Edmonton, including one with 43 seconds left in regulation that forced overtime.
The Canucks, tied 2-2 after two periods, scored three goals in four minutes to start the third to take a 5-2 lead before the Oilers rallied. Vancouver goaltender Kevin Lankinen made 32 saves for the win, while Edmonton's Tristan Jarry stopped just 17 shots. Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the Oilers' home opener.
New Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra, making his coaching debut, became the fourth person in franchise history to serve as both player and head coach. The two teams face off again in Vancouver on Thursday.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.