NHL: Kyle Turris scores shootout winner as Oilers nip Canucks

Date:

Share post:


Kyle Turris scored the winning goal in the fifth round of the shootout to give the host Edmonton Oilers a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks in both teams’ season openers on Wednesday.

Jesse Puljujarvi and Zach Hyman also tallied for Edmonton, which received a 36-save performance from goaltender Mike Smith, on top of stopping four of five opponents in the shootout.

Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who won the league’s scoring race last season for the third time in five campaigns, collected a pair of assists. The Oilers didn’t have a single game last season go to a shootout.

With a chance to play hero after his team blew a 2-0 lead in the third period, Turris converted with a shot from the slot to earn the win.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Quinn Hughes responded with key goals to force extra time, but the visitors — on a night when Thatcher Demko stopped 32 shots through overtime in a top-rate goaltender duel — couldn’t find the winner.

Puljujarvi’s rebound goal at 16:55 of the opening frame put the hosts on the board first. Hyman — who joined Edmonton after signing a seven-year, $38.5 million contract in the offseason — doubled the lead with a power-play goal at 17:12 of the second period.

However, the Canucks staged a successful third-period comeback to force overtime. Ekman-Larsson, who was acquired via trade in the summer, scored with a long shot on the power play at 12:28 of the period, and then Hughes fired a sharp-angled offering that somehow found the mark with 2:49 remaining in regulation.

Nils Hoglander netted a pair of assists in the loss.

Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl assisted Hyman’s goal, which gives him a point in six consecutive season-opening games. The Oilers’ record for a season-opening point streak is seven, held by Wayne Gretzky.

–Field Level Media

spot_img

Related articles

NHL: Reports: Patrick Kane to join Red Wings

Patrick Kane plans to resume his career with the Detroit Red Wings, according to multiple reports on Tuesday. ESPN...

NHL: Resurgent Oilers set for big test vs. Golden Knights

After back-to-back wins during which they scored a combined 13 goals, the Edmonton Oilers may finally have turned...

NHL: Coyotes carry momentum into matchup with Lightning

Riding high after one of their best wins of the season, the Arizona Coyotes will look to keep...

NHL: Maple Leafs glad to be home to oppose Panthers

The Toronto Maple Leafs hope that their first home game in more than two weeks will mean a...

FREE

Get the most important breaking news and analyses for Free.

Thank you for subscribing

Something went wrong.