Paul Cotter Nets OT Winner, Canucks Edge Oilers 6-5 in Thrilling Season-Opener

The Vancouver Canucks dug in against a talented Edmonton Oilers squad to win their first game of the season 6-5 in Edmonton. 

Head Coach Manny Malhotra got the win in his NHL coaching debut and was happy for his group to secure two points. Malhotra said the team showed perseverance and mental fortitude against a tough Oilers team, with standout plays and performances throughout the game. 

“The resiliency to stay with it for us was a huge factor in the game, and then guys stepping up in big ways. Lanks made some key saves, especially down the stretch there. Our kill did a job throughout the course of the game [against] obviously, elite power play and limiting them to as much as we did was good. But just the overall, obviously, the joy of winning a game takes precedence right now,” Malhotra said. 

The Canucks penalty kill was three of four and scored a shorthanded goal. As a team, they blocked 21 shots on the evening. 

Paul Cotter bookended his Canucks debut with goals, including the game-winner in overtime. For the overtime goal, with Cotter, Max Sasson, and Tom Willander on the ice, Cotter’s forecheck against Ryan Shea led to a recovery and a give-and-go no-look pass from Sasson to Cotter who deked Jarry for the backhand. 

“I couldn't have drawn it up better than that,” Cotter said. “Sass, a couple Michigan boys going at it, so I mean, [it was] awesome. That's a dream come true to start the year individually and obviously for us to beat a team of that caliber. I don't know if I could think of a better way to start the season.”

It was a game of cat and mouse, with Vancouver taking a 5-2 lead midway through the third period. Cotter said the Oilers' push down the stretch wasn't unprecedented given Edmonton’s skill and experience, but Cotter gave credit to his teammates and the coaching staff for staying calm to help pull out the win. 

“I thought we did a great job. Manny had great words to us just to stay calm, play your game, and to have the trust of your coach in those situations letting not going crazy, just saying, ‘Hey, make your plays, play your game, we're winning for a reason.’ I thought we did really well,” Cotter said. 

Malhotra was happy for the 26-year-old forward who has a willingness to do whatever is asked of him to help the team succeed. 

“Really excited for him. He did a lot of really good things. Obviously, a shorthanded goal and an OT winner [are] two pretty big moments for him. Just the fact that he had limited minutes and their line jumped a couple shifts and didn't get too much ice in the third, but his ability to stay composed and stay ready on the bench speaks a lot about his character,” Malhotra said. 

Between the pipes, Kevin Lankinen stopped 32 of 37 shots he faced, earning praise from Malhotra. 

“He battles. He competes to stop pucks, and that's what you want out of your goalie. It gives us confidence knowing that he's going to do everything in his power to try to stop pucks. He came up with some clutch ones down the stretch, so I think just that level of play gives us confidence in front of him,” Malhotra said. 

Goals 

In the first period with the Oilers on the power play, Paul Cotter grabbed a long rebound and led on a two-on-one rush with Arshdeep Bains. Cotter fired his shot from the right circle for his first goal as a Canuck.

Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard scored from the point, the Canucks and Oilers tied 1-1 going into the first intermission. 

In the second, Liam Öhgren sprung Marco Rossi on a breakaway, picking his spot five-hole.

Bouchard scored his second of the night, tying the game 2-2 going into the final break. 

The Canucks kicked off the third period scoring a trio of goals in the first 5:15 of play. 

Jonathan Lekkerimäki scored off the rush, snapping a shot from the right circle.

Max Sasson scored off a give-and-go with Drew O’Connor, Sasson backhanding his shot past Tristan Jarry net front.

On a Canucks' power play, forward Elias Pettersson redirected Filip Hronek’s shot from the point to extend Vancouver’s lead.

The Oilers scored three of their own from Vasily Podkolzin, Bouchard, and Podkolzin again, this time on the power play to send the game into overtime. 

In the extra frame, Cotter’s defensive play against Shea led to a recovery and a give-and-go no-look pass from Sasson to Cotter who deked Jarry for the backhand, for the 6-5 victory. 

Up Next 

The Canucks head back to Vancouver for their home opener against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, October 1st at 7:00 p.m. PT.