Oilers vs. Canucks: Edmonton chases 1st win in huge rematch
Update (3:07 p.m. ET, Thursday): Devon Levi is now the probable starting goaltender for the Edmonton Oilers, replacing Tristan Jarry, while Kevin Lankinen remains the probable starter for the Vancouver Canucks. Goaltender Frederik Andersen is no longer listed on Edmonton’s injury report.
The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks finish their season-opening home-and-home Thursday at 10 p.m. ET at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, two nights after the Canucks escaped Edmonton with a 6-5 overtime win. Oilers vs. Canucks is the second of back-to-back meetings to start the 2026-27 season, with Vancouver (1-0-0) looking to sweep and Edmonton (0-0-1) trying to bounce back.
Evan Bouchard scored a hat trick and added two assists in Tuesday’s opener, and Connor McDavid had two assists. It still was not enough.
Oilers vs. Canucks game information
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 1
- Time: 10 p.m. ET
- Venue: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, British Columbia
- TV/Streaming (U.S.): ESPN+
- Probable starting goalies: Devon Levi (Edmonton), Kevin Lankinen (Vancouver)
How Tuesday’s Oilers vs. Canucks opener unfolded
Vancouver built a 5-2 lead in the third period at Rogers Place before Edmonton stormed back to force overtime. Paul Cotter ended it 1:59 into the extra period for his second goal of the night. Filip Hronek had two assists, and Kevin Lankinen made 32 saves.
Vasily Podkolzin scored twice for Edmonton. Tristan Jarry made 17 saves on 23 shots. The game was the regular-season coaching debut for both Manny Malhotra in Vancouver and Mike Babcock in Edmonton.
“If we play like this we’re going to be chasing the game. To be honest with you, we’re fortunate to get a point,” Babcock said, per NHL.com.
Two teams headed in different directions
The opener flipped the script from last season. Edmonton finished 2025-26 at 41-30-11 and averaged 3.4 goals per game, while Vancouver went 25-49-8. A win Thursday would give the Canucks a sweep of the home-and-home and a 2-0-0 start under their new coach.
Oilers outlook
Edmonton’s offense was not the problem Tuesday. Bouchard’s five-point night and Podkolzin’s two goals gave the Oilers enough to rally, but the defense allowed six goals on 23 shots behind Jarry. Devon Levi is now the probable starter in net for Thursday’s rematch, a change from the Jarry start two nights earlier. The Oilers beat Vancouver 2-1 at Rogers Arena in the preseason on Sept. 25, when Jarry made 25 saves and Edmonton improved to 3-0-0 in exhibition play.
Forwards Matt Savoie and Jason Dickinson are on injured reserve for Edmonton, along with Alec Regula and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Zach Hyman is listed as out.
Canucks outlook
Vancouver is working without No. 1 goaltender Thatcher Demko, who opened the season on injured reserve with a hip injury, leaving Lankinen to handle the net. Center Filip Chytil (shoulder) is also on injured reserve.
Cotter’s two-goal night and Hronek’s two assists led the way in the opener. Lankinen faced 37 shots and held on long enough for the overtime winner, and he is projected to start again Thursday.
Key matchup in Oilers vs. Canucks
Bouchard against Vancouver’s defense is the obvious one. He drove Edmonton’s comeback Tuesday, and the Canucks will need a cleaner third period than the one that let a three-goal lead slip away. Devon Levi takes over in net for Edmonton after Jarry allowed six goals on 23 shots in the opener.
What to watch in Oilers vs. Canucks
This is the third meeting between the clubs in a week, counting the Sept. 25 preseason game. The Oilers are 0-0-1 and the Canucks 1-0-0 entering Thursday.
What’s next
After Thursday’s game, Edmonton faces the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Reporting from FOX Sports, Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports and NHL.com contributed to this story. Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).