Edmonton Oilers goalie Calvin Patrick(30) and Connor McDavid(97) celebrates their win over Vancouver Canucks. CanadianPress/ Jason Franson.
Rick Tocchet's challenge to his Vancouver Canucks paid off as they came from behind to secure a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series on Thursday. This victory gave the Canucks a 3-2 lead in the series, with Game 6 scheduled for Saturday in Edmonton.
Tocchet, who had reshuffled his lines following a previous 3-2 loss to the Oilers, praised his team's resilience. "They’ve been responding all year," he said, highlighting their ability to bounce back after subpar performances.
Veteran forwards Ilya Mikheyev and Sam Lafferty, newcomer Linus Karlsson, and defenseman Noah Juulsen were benched for Game 5. Carson Soucy, Phillip Di Giuseppe, and Nils Hoglander returned to the lineup, with Vasily Podkolzin making his NHL playoff debut. Soucy and Di Giuseppe both scored, while star center J.T. Miller sealed the win with a late goal.
Di Giuseppe, who scored his first playoff goal, had an eventful week as he and his wife welcomed their second child. "It’s been crazy but good emotions," he said, reflecting on the whirlwind of balancing family and hockey.
Soucy, who missed Game 4 due to a suspension for cross-checking Connor McDavid, expressed his eagerness to contribute. "It sucks sitting out," he said, "so you kind of just want to come back in and do your thing."
Miller, critical of his own performance in the previous game, redeemed himself by scoring the winning goal with just 31.9 seconds left. Tocchet praised Miller’s accountability and consistent effort since joining the team.
The Oilers initially took the lead with goals from Evander Kane and Mattias Janmark in the first period. Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs made 21 saves for Vancouver, while Edmonton’s Calvin Pickard stopped 32 of 35 shots. The Canucks dominated the second period, outshooting the Oilers 17-4.
Edmonton winger Zach Hyman acknowledged that the Oilers were outpaced in the second period but felt they regained their form in the third. "They played faster than we did," he said, emphasizing the need to control the game's pace.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch identified possession and playmaking as key areas for improvement ahead of their potential elimination game. "We want to have the puck a lot more and make more plays," he said, stressing the importance of playing faster and more competitively.
Both teams struggled on special teams, with the Oilers going 0-for-5 on the power play and the Canucks 0-for-4. Edmonton had previously boasted the top power play in the playoffs, converting 46.7 percent of their man advantages.
The stage is now set for a crucial Game 6, with the Canucks looking to clinch the series and the Oilers fighting to stay alive.
