RECAP: Oilers 3, Canucks 2

VANCOUVER, BC - Kailer Yamamoto and Derek Ryan combined to score the game-winning goal shorthanded in the second period on Saturday as the Oilers finished their pre-season schedule with a 6-1-1 record and a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.
Evan Bouchard opened the scoring, and Brendan Perlini scored his sixth goal in six pre-season games during a 51-second span of the first period. Mikko Koskinen made 11 saves before giving way to Stuart Skinner, who made 14 saves on 16 shots for the Oilers in the final 40 minutes.

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FIRST BLOOD

The Bouchbomb is locked, loaded, and ready for the regular season.
On Edmonton's first and only powerplay of the opening frame with 3:40 left in the period, defenceman Evan Bouchard uncorked a wicked slapshot from the blueline that Canucks netminder Thatcher Demko had no chance of stopping with major traffic around his crease. Kyle Turris fed the young rearguard, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins picked up the secondary helper on the man advantage.

PLAY OF THE GAME

The Spokane, Washington connection of Ryan and Yamamoto linked up on the penalty kill to lift the Oilers to a three-goal lead.
Ryan fought the puck loose from Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes and sent the puck up to a free-flying Yamamoto, who dangled Demko into submission with a forehand-to-back-hand move 6:26 into the second period.
In '20-21, Yamamoto scored the lone Oilers shorthanded goal over 56 total games.

SAVE OF THE GAME

Koskinen had to come up big six minutes into the game when the Finnish netminder kicked out the left pad and made an important stop on Matthew Highmore's deflection before the netminder absorbed the follow-up shot lying on his back.

TURNING POINT

The Oilers left the Canucks in their wake over a 51-second span of the opening period when Bouchard unleashed a blast on the powerplay and Perlini scored his sixth goal in six pre-season games not long after.
Colton Sceviour, who drove wide and sent his pass to a wide-open Perlini for Edmonton's second goal, continued his strong audition on a Professional Tryout as he works towards earning a roster spot and a contract with the club.

TOP PERFORMERS

It could've been a much different result if it wasn't for a solid night in goal from both Edmonton netminders. Koskinen stopped all 11 shots he faced in the opening period before giving way to Skinner, who followed up his counterpart by looking sharp and stopping 14 of 16 shots sent his way over the final 40 minutes -- including a big pad save in the final seconds with the Canucks on a 6-on-4 advantage.

PARTING WORDS

Bouchard on a positive pre-season result against Vancouver tonight:
"Yeah, that was a big win for us," he said. "We just really wanted to finish off the exhibition (schedule) the right way and get ourselves ready for the first regular-season game. I thought that's what we did today."
"I feel pretty good about my game. I think the team should feel good about the way we're playing, so I think as long as we keep buying into the coaches are throwing at us, I think it's going to go well for us."
Bouchard on finally getting into real games beginning Wednesday against Vancouver:
"It was good to get the first few (pre-season) games in," he said. "By the end, it kind of felt like somewhat of a regular-season game. That's how intense the games were getting. I think that's going to help us a lot."
"I worked hard all summer, and almost everyone here worked hard all summer, so I think getting those extra minutes were helpful for me and it helped me really settle into the game."
Sceviour on the progression of his game over the preseason on a Professional Tryout:
"You know that the date is coming and the rosters have to be submitted soon, so you want to put a good foot forward in the last game," he said. "Obviously I would've liked to score a bit more, but I think I showed my versatility and ability to play the defensive side, penalty kill, and that type of thing. That's kind of what was going to keep me here. I don't think goalscoring was going to be the main focus of my preseason, and I think I did a pretty good job at showing that side of my game."
"I'm pretty hard on myself. I'd like to be perfect, but it's obviously not possible, especially in hockey, so it's not my decision (if I earn a contract). Whichever way it goes, I'm comfortable with how I played. I don't think I came in and was so bad that I wasted anyone's time. I gave it a shot and I put a good foot forward."

Perlini on the victory and the overall preseason put together by the Oilers:
"Yeah, it was good," he said. "It probably wasn't the exact way we would've like to finish it, but a win is a win nonetheless. It's always a good feeling winning rather than losing. It was a pretty good preseason by all the guys and there were great efforts out there, so hopefully, we can keep it rolling."
Head Coach Dave Tippett on Sceviour's body of work on a PTO in the preseason:
"You know what, he's been solid. That's what we expected from him. He's played over 500 games in the League, he understands the League, and understands his role. With (Josh) Archibald being out, he came in and we gave him some penalty-kill time. He was solid all the way through Camp."
Tippett on the line of Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins and Yamamoto:
"That line was excellent," he said. "I've been wanting to look at them that way with Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid playing together. Hyman is a worker extraordinaire. He drags people into the fight with him, and that line was really solid for us tonight. They did a working job that created some chances, and Yamo had a good shorthanded goal, so it's good to see them play well."
Tippett on the growth of the Duncan Keith - Cody Ceci defensive pairing:
"Very much so," he said. "I talked a little bit to Ceci today and they're getting comfortable with each other. They're both veteran guys and they're both coming into a new situation, so there's a lot for them to take in during a short amount of time. But both are good veteran guys. They played a good, solid game out there tonight and it's good to see they're coming on. I think you'll continue to see them grow together and be a real solid pair for us."