It's Mikko Koskinen vs Thatcher Demko tonight! Demko hasn't played in a while. Koskinen is 5-1-2 in his last 8 games.Doesn't bode well for Demko.
Unlike the Canucks, the Oilers appear to be hitting their groove at the right time. They're on a 3 game winning streak. The Canucks played last night. My expectations aren't high for the Canucks tonight.
FIRST PERIOD
Chiasson SCORES- terrible giveaway by Pouliot. Sam Gagner stole the puck from him of all people. Easy goal for Chiasson.
Good flow to the game. Both of these defences are mediocre at best. Expect a lot of chances tonight.
Kassian SCORES- Great play by McDavid! He was flying! McDavid sure is fun to watch! No one can keep up with him when he's skating like that. Easy goal for Kassian! Draisaitl gets the second assist.
Looks bleak for the Canucks. When your power play sucks, how can you play down by two goals?
END PERIOD- SHOTS- Canucks 18 Oilers 17
I don't think the Canucks really got outplayed in that period. Right now, the Oilers best players are playing like their best players while Pettersson is riding the pine right now.
Sportsnet flashes that Alex Edler played 10:09 of the first period. You know you're defence sucks when.....
SECOND PERIOD
Nugent-Hopkins SCORES- Well, that didn't take long. McDavid with a great pass and set up for an easy tip in for RNH. This game could get ugly at this rate.
Sekera PENALTY- Tripping- 5:50- At least Pettersson drew a penalty. Can the Canucks power play do anything?
The broadcasters say Bo Horvat has taken more face-offs than anyone else in the NHL. That just symbolizes how little depth the Canucks have up the middle. Especially with injury prone Brandon Sutter out of the lineup yet again.
Stetcher PENALTY- 6:28- Kassian was about to go in for a shorthanded breakaway and Stetcher had to take a penalty to keep him from going in alone. There goes yet another power play chance. Well, at least the Oilers don't score on the 4 on 4 or their own power play.
Zack Kassian and Antoine Roussel have been beaking off at each other all game. Try to imagine these two going at it in a 7 game playoff series.
Pettersson is only 4 points back from the Canucks rookie points record. The way he's been playing the last couple weeks, you almost wonder if he'll get there. 0 goals in his last 8 games and he hasn't looked good during a lot of that time.
Draisaitl has 41 goals. Only Ovechkin has more. The German has really come into his own.
Beagle SCORES- Koskinen misplayed it. easy tap in. First goal in 21 games for Beagle! 3-1 Oilers. At least it won't be a laugher.
McDavid goes in on a breakaway at 19:40- Great save by Demko to keep the Canucks close.
THIRD PERIOD
Klefbom PENALTY- slash 4:53.
Wow, the Canucks are actually looking decent here. Boeser gets a one timer- SAVE by Koskinen.
Horvat SCORES- off a tip from an Elder shot from the point. It wasn't a power play goal. It was shortly after Klefbom's penalty expired, but I'm amazed the Canucks are clawing their way back into it. Oilers lead 3-2.
The Oilers go for a coach's challenge. It fails. I don't understand what the Oilers were challenging. I don't even think Horvat touched Koskinen. Still 3-2.
Draisaitl with another breakaway- Great save by Demko! Another breakaway stop!
Canucks hit the crossbar- Motte off a tip. The pits!!!
Draisaitl PENALTY- hook- 11:27- Pettersson draws another penalty.
Annnnd of course the Canucks blow the power play again. A too many men bench minor. That's two power plays shortened with penalties tonight. When you make mistakes like that, you don't belong in the playoffs.
Biega hits the post- YUCK!!!!
The Canucks pull Demko. They don't get much going. Draisaitl hits the post on an empty net. It doesn't matter. The Canucks can't get the puck back in the dying seconds and the Oilers run the clock.
Oilers win 3-2. Canucks outshot Oilers 37-34.
Well, one good thing about this Canucks team is that they don't quit. It's painfully obvious the Canucks just don't have the depth to compete consistently with all their injuries. I think it's a safe bet to say the Canucks season is over with this loss. They're not going to make the playoffs.
The Canucks play Vegas on Saturday night! There will be random notes for you then!
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