PETTERSSON’S PAYBACK: Canucks Star Elias Pettersson Made Life Miserable for Oilers Goalie Stuart Skinner
The Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers renewed their rivalry on Wednesday night, and it was a game to remember. The Canucks came out on top, defeating the Oilers 4-3 in a thrilling contest. At the center of it all was Canucks star Elias Pettersson, who made life miserable for Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner.
Pettersson, the Canucks’ 24-year-old center, was a force to be reckoned with all game long. He scored two goals and added an assist, leading the Canucks to their second win in a row. His first goal came just 5:30 into the game, as he wired a wrist shot past Skinner’s glove hand.
“I was just trying to get the puck on net,” Pettersson said in a post-game interview. “I saw a little opening, and I tried to take advantage of it. Luckily, it went in.”
Pettersson’s second goal was even more impressive. With the Canucks on the power play, Pettersson took a pass from Quinn Hughes and unleashed a one-timer that beat Skinner high to the blocker side.
“It was a great pass by Quinn,” Pettersson said. “I just tried to get it off my stick as quickly as possible. It was a big goal for us, and it helped us take the lead.”
The Oilers pushed hard to get back into the game, but Pettersson and the Canucks were up to the task. With the Oilers’ Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the charge, the Canucks’ defense was tested time and time again. But thanks to the stellar play of goalie Thatcher Demko, the Canucks were able to hold on for the win.
“Thatcher was huge for us tonight,” Pettersson said. “He made some big saves, especially in the third period. We’re lucky to have him back there.”
The win was a big one for the Canucks, who are fighting to stay in the playoff picture in the Western Conference. With the victory, Vancouver moved into a tie for third place in the Pacific Division.
“It’s a big win for us,” Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau said. “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but our guys came out and played a great team game. We’re happy with the result.”
The Oilers, meanwhile, saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. Despite the loss, McDavid and Draisaitl were their usual dominant selves, combining for three points.
“We just couldn’t get the puck past Demko,” McDavid said. “He played a great game, and we just couldn’t solve him. We’ll have to bounce back from this one.”
The Canucks will look to build on the momentum of this win when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night. With Pettersson and the rest of the team playing some of their best hockey of the season, Vancouver is starting to look like a formidable opponent in the Western Conference.
As for Pettersson, he’s just happy to be contributing to the team’s success. “I’m just trying to play my best hockey every night,” he said. “If I can help the team win, that’s all that matters.”
