Lekkerimäki scores twice to help Canucks defeat Oilers 3-2 in overtime.
The Vancouver Canucks capped their preseason with an electrifying 3-2 overtime victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Rookie Jonathan Lekkerimäki stole the spotlight, scoring twice and showing he belongs on opening night.
Canucks Start Strong
The first period was cautious, with few shots early on. Elias Pettersson (F) set the tone with a hard check on Matthias Ekholm, creating Vancouver’s first offensive push. Edmonton answered with Isaac Howard testing Thatcher Demko’s glove.
Shortly after, Tyler Myers fired a shot from the blue line, followed by Lekkerimäki’s snap-shot that beat Calvin Pickard. The Oilers pushed back, but Pettersson (D) made a key sliding block to deny a near-certain goal.
Kiefer Sherwood’s tripping penalty gave Vancouver an early power play. Marcus Pettersson also earned a man advantage later. Despite a slow start, Braeden Cootes found Lekkerimäki, who rifled a one-timer past Pickard. The Canucks led 1-0.
First Period Takeaways
- Rookie-heavy line of Pettersson (D), Cootes, Kane, Lekkerimäki, and Willander battled hard in their defensive zone.
- Lekkerimäki and Cootes impressed, showing the creativity the Canucks need on offense.
- Arshdeep Bains was quiet but steady in his bid for a starting spot.
Second Period Chaos
The Oilers struck first when Kasperi Kapanen scored on a 4-on-2 rush, tying the game 1-1. Shortly after, Evan Bouchard and Leon Draisaitl converted a power play for a 2-1 Edmonton lead.
Vasili Podkolzin delivered a heavy hit on Pettersson (D), temporarily removing him from the game. Vancouver’s best moment came from Demko, who made a sprawling save on Trent Frederic.
Second Period Takeaways
- Pettersson (F), Brock Boeser, and Jake DeBrusk struggled to generate offense.
- Young defenders showed resilience but faced challenges against Edmonton’s veteran-heavy lines.
Third Period Revival
Vancouver pushed back in the third. Demko made several key saves, including on Andrew Mangiapane and Matt Savoie breakaways. Conor Garland drew a penalty, creating a 5-on-3 opportunity, but the Canucks couldn’t capitalize.
Lekkerimäki’s power play presence remained notable. His one-timer impressed coach Adam Foote, hinting at his growing role in the lineup.
Third Period Takeaways
- Foote trusted Lekkerimäki on key power plays but held him back from 5-on-3 units.
- Evander Kane appeared a step behind, missing several key plays despite solid chip-and-chase efforts.
Overtime Heroics
In overtime, Foote deployed a trio of Hronek, Pettersson, and DeBrusk. After a quick line change, Conor Garland took control, weaving through defenders and Pickard to score the game-winning goal. The Canucks defeated the Oilers 3-2.
Game Takeaways
- Quinn Hughes dominated shifts, displaying Norris Trophy-caliber speed and endurance.
- Lekkerimäki and Cootes emerged as dynamic contributors on both ends of the ice.
- Demko’s performance reinforced his status as a top-tier goalie, showing calm and composure under pressure.
The Canucks conclude preseason with momentum. Lekkerimäki’s two-goal performance, combined with strong defensive efforts, signals a promising start for Vancouver’s opening night lineup.
