The Edmonton Oilers ended their regular season on Friday night with a 3-2 penalty shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks at Roger Place.
The penalty shootout lasted six innings with Oilers striker Devin Shore scoring the only goal.
“The final pairing was different in that they didn’t have any influence on the leaderboard, so I don’t think we were as close as we could have been,” Oilers guard Tyson Barrie said after the match.
JT Miller scored for the Canucks in the first period, finishing just below the bar for his 32nd goal of the season.
The second stage is no score. Shore had a great opportunity to put the Oilers ahead but was unable to score a tight shot from Vancouver goalkeeper Spencer Martin.
“We didn’t start the way we wanted,” said Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft. “We tried a little bit, but I think we’re settled.
“I think the players played towards an identity of how we wanted to play, and we tried with that. That is a good sign.”
Edmonton defender Brett Kulak tore Martin’s net 31 seconds into the third to equalize.
“To see them dig deep and find a way to win – it was the last game of the regular season, but it left us – as we started preparing for the knockout stages – in a good mood,” Woodcroft said.
Vancouver took the lead two minutes later when Conor Garland beat Oilers keeper Mikko Koskinen at short distance.
Edmonton was back again, with Tyson Barrie’s long-arm swing knocking Martin out when 10:50 remained.
Early in extra time, Koskinen shot the ball on the right to save Miller.
“We had a system that everyone believed in and bought into, and I think that really made a difference,” Koskinen said after the game.
Vancouver Canucks’ Alex Chiasson (39) was looking for a rebound when Edmonton Oilers goalkeeper Mikko Koskinen (19 years old) made a save and Duncan Keith (2) defended during the first period of NHL action in Edmonton on Friday , April 29, 2022. Jason Franson.
CANADIAN PRESS / Jason Franson
Koskinen finished with 39 saves in regulation time and injury time. He denied all six people who shot the Canucks in the shootout.
“I like penalty shootouts,” said Koskinen. “I practiced quite a bit with the boys after practice, so I felt pretty confident when we went into the shootout.”
The Oilers finished the regular season with a 49-27-6 record. They opened the playoffs at home against the LA Kings. Game 1 is scheduled to take place on Monday.
“We think we have the best fans – the most passionate and knowledgeable fans – in the National Hockey League,” Woodcroft said.
“I can tell you, having been through the playoffs in this city with my own eyes, I know how excited people are for the knockout stages and I know how excited our players are. playing to the best of my ability against a quality opponent.”
–With files from Brenden Escott, 630 CHED
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
