There was plenty of hype heading into the second round matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vancouver Canucks. The last two Canadian teams with the best records in the Pacific Division went at it for a seven-game series. Both teams are built to win the Stanley Cup but one, in this case, the Canucks, had to go home early.
Related: Oilers Defeat Canucks 3-2 in Game 7, Will Meet Stars in West Final
This series exceeded the hype, which rarely happens in sports. It was the definition of a back-and-forth series with plenty of highs and lows for both teams. The Canucks took all the odd-numbered games while the Oilers took the even-numbered ones, except for the clincher, a game the Oilers took to advance to the Western Conference Final for the second time in three seasons.
The series was not only great from the start but had ended with a one-goal game that came down to the wire with the Oilers building up a 3-0 Game 7 lead and holding on despite two late goals by the Canucks. This was a series that hockey fans will remember for years and one with a lot of significance for two of the NHL’s biggest franchises.
The Stars Showed Up
Oftentimes, the playoffs are when the great players disappear. It’s understandable why since the opposition keeps a close eye on them and makes sure anyone but the star players beat them. Aside from Elias Pettersson’s struggles, the elite players came to play in this series.
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman carried the Oilers all season. They combined for eight goals and 20 assists. The Canucks were led by J.T. Miller and Quinn Hughes but also saw their two trade deadline additions step up in the series. Elias Lindholm scored three goals and four assists while Nikita Zadorov added two goals and three assists from the point while also stepping up on the defensive end of the ice.
The Oilers also saw their young rising star make a significant impact and ultimately, allow them to win the series. 24-year-old defenceman Evan Bouchard has made his mark as one of the best two-way defencemen in the league and his talent was on full display in this series. He scored four goals and seven assists, and his shot that was deflected to the back of the net in Game 7 gave the Oilers a 2-0 lead and all the momentum in the second period, a…
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