Evan Bouchard scored the overtime winner, but Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s contributions were crucial in the Edmonton Oilers’ 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, tying the series 1-1 in the Western Conference second-round playoff.
Evan Bouchard snagged the overtime winner. Yet, it was Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl who truly shone, tying the series 1-1 with the Canucks. Bouchard’s goal? A slick shot from the right, deflected by Ian Cole’s stick into the net. This happened 5:38 into OT, clinching a 4-3 victory for the Oilers at Rogers Arena.
McDavid and Draisaitl were everywhere, literally. Despite Draisaitl’s last-minute play call due to an injury, they contributed to all four goals. Each notched a goal and three assists. McDavid was on the ice for over 28 minutes, Draisaitl for just over 27. With McDavid leading playoff scoring (17 points) and Draisaitl right behind (16 points), they’re a force to be reckoned with.
McDavid’s breakaway goal was a game-changer, tying it 3-3 early in the third. He outmaneuvered Tyler Myers, seizing a loose puck and scoring. The Oilers then ramped up the pressure, outshooting the Canucks 15-2 in the third. This set the stage for the thrilling OT.
Vancouver wasn’t going down without a fight, though. Nikita Zadorov put them ahead late in the second with a sharp shot. The teams had been neck and neck, exchanging goals in quick succession. The Canucks’ Brock Boeser and the Oilers’ Mattias Ekholm each found the net in the second, setting the stage for an intense finish.
The game had kicked off with Elias Pettersson scoring a power-play goal for the Canucks. It was a first for the Oilers this postseason. But Draisaitl wasn’t having any of it. He equalized with a precise shot after a slick exchange with McDavid.
Now, the action moves to Edmonton’s turf for Game 3. It’s all happening Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET. The tension? Palpable. The excitement? Through the roof. Let’s see what unfolds.
