While Edmonton still holds the all-time edge in the rivalry with 144 wins compared to Vancouver s 110, the Canucks have seized the momentum with their recent success.
Canucks Edge Preds
The Vancouver Canucks are headed to the Western Conference Second Round after eliminating the Nashville Predators in six games. It was a hard-fought series, with the Canucks depth and resilient goaltending proving to be the difference.
Artūrs Šilovs, the 23-year-old Latvian rookie, played a crucial role in the series, starting the final three games after Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith were sidelined with injuries. Šilovs made 27 saves in Game 4, followed by a 20-save performance in Game 5, and stood tall in the decisive Game 6 to help the Canucks advance.
Stopped. By. Šilovs. 🛑
Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks)
Offensively, J.T. Miller led the way with six points (one goal, five assists) in the first round, while Brock Boeser found his scoring touch, notching five points (four goals, one assist) in his last five playoff games.
Elias Lindholm and Quinn Hughes also made significant contributions, with Lindholm scoring the overtime winner in Game 4 and Hughes recording two power-play assists in Game 3.
Goaltending will be a key factor in the series, as the Canucks will need to find a way to slow down Edmonton s high-powered attack. With Demko s status uncertain, Silovs may be called upon to continue his impressive playoff debut against the Oilers offensive juggernaut.
Oilers Dethrone Kings Once Again
The Edmonton Oilers are headed to the Western Conference Second Round after dispatching the Los Angeles Kings in five games. It was a familiar story, as the Oilers have now eliminated the Kings in the first round for three straight years, doing it in fewer games each time seven, six, and now five.
Connor McDavid led the way for Edmonton with 12 points in the series, while Leon Draisaitl chipped in 10 points of his own. Zach Hyman was a goal-scoring machine, finding the back of the net seven times.
ZACH HYMAN FROM HIS OFFICE IN FRONT 🚨
B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce)
In net, Stuart Skinner started all five games, posting a 2.59 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. The 24-year-old showed poise and consistency, bouncing back well after losses.
The Oilers lethal power play was a huge factor, as they converted at a 45% clip (9-for-20).
Equally impressive was their penalty kill, which held the Kings scoreless on 12 opportunities. As captain Connor McDavid noted, Not conceding a goal is quite impressive .
Canucks vs Oilers Prediction
While the Oilers looked like the far superior offensive team in the opening round, it s impossible to ignore Vancouver s dominance of Edmonton during the regular season. However, it must be noted that Thatcher Demko played a key role in several of those victories.
The playoffs are a different beast than the regular season, and the Oilers are the more experienced and battle-tested on the big stage. The Canucks managed just 18.4 shots per game against a mediocre Nashville defense, while the Oilers exploited one of the NHL s best defenses in LA.
Canucks vs Oilers Playoff Stats 2024
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