In the building for the battle: Oilers beat Canucks in historic night
From first NHL goals to team history, this rivalry was on full display
The Oilers played with composure and focus, outshooting the Canucks by over double. (Ty Nelson-Lowden)
I was lucky enough to be at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Oct. 11 to watch the Oilers take on our Vancouver Canucks in a game that felt more like a playoff matchup than an early-season contest.
The Oilers came away with a hard-fought 3-1 victory, but the end-of-game score only tells a fraction of the story. Between the noise of the crowd, the heavy hits, and Evander Kane’s emotional return to Edmonton, this was a night packed with tension, physicality, and drama from the first face-off to the final buzzer.
Kane faces his former team
The biggest story going into the game was Kane’s first matchup against the Oilers since being traded to Vancouver over the summer. The energy in the building was electric every time he touched the puck. A mix of cheers and boos echoed through Rogers Place.
Kane came out aggressive — throwing checks and trying to rile up his former teammates. While he didn’t score, he made his presence known in every shift. It was clear Kane wanted to make a statement and his physical gameplay helped set the tone for an aggressive night on both ends.
First period: fast and physical
From the moment the puck dropped, you could feel the rivalry. The opening period was a showcase of speed and strength, with both teams trading big hits along the boards. Edmonton controlled most of the play, racking up 14 shots compared to Vancouver’s four during the period, but Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko stood tall.
The Oilers’ top lines looked sharp, but Vancouver’s defence stayed organized enough to keep the game scoreless heading into the first intermission. Even from the stands, you could sense the tension building. Every chance gave the fans more energy and confidence.
Second period: The Oilers find their rhythm
Midway through the second, Edmonton finally broke the deadlock. After a Canucks turnover at the blue line, Kasperi Kapanen fed Noah Philp, who snapped a quick shot past Demko for his first career NHL goal. The crowd erupted, and you could feel the momentum shift instantly.
Later, with under a minute to go in the second period, Andrew Mangiapane capitalized on another Vancouver mistake, intercepting a clearing attempt and beating Demko from the slot to make it 2-0. With this goal, Mangiapane also marked 500 career NHL goals. The Oilers skated off the ice with the crowd on their feet and in full control of the game.
Third period: The Canucks push back
The Canucks came out firing to start the third. Less than a minute in, Brock Boeser spun off a defender and slipped a shot past Calvin Pickard to make it 2-1. The assist from captain Quinn Hughes was historic, as it moved him past Alexander Edler for the most points by a defenseman in Canucks history.
That goal gave Vancouver life, but it didn’t last long. Edmonton tightened up defensively, blocking shots and shutting down passing lanes. When the Canucks pulled Demko for an extra attacker late in the game, Leon Draisaitl sealed the deal with a backhand empty-netter from centre ice to make it 3-1.
Why Vancouver fell short
For the Canucks, the loss came down to being outplayed in key areas. They were outshot 37-15 and couldn’t generate consistent offensive pressure. Costly turnovers directly led to two Edmonton goals, and their depth scoring never materialized.
Despite a solid night from Demko, the Canucks spent too much time defending and not enough time attacking. Edmonton’s puck movement and physical play wore them down over three periods, and, by the end, Vancouver couldn’t keep up.
Rivalry on full display
The game was every bit as physical as expected. Big hits, post-whistle scrums, and jawing between players kept the energy high. Kane was right in the middle of it all night, finishing checks, mixing it up with former teammates, and trying to drag his team back into the fight. The Oilers, to their credit, didn’t take the bait. They played with composure and focus, showing the maturity of a team that has learned how to win tough games.
Final thoughts
Watching this game in person gave me a real appreciation for how fast and intense NHL hockey can be. Every shift felt meaningful, and every mistake mattered. The Oilers looked sharp and confident, while Vancouver showed flashes of fight but couldn’t quite match the consistency.
In the end, Edmonton’s 3-1 victory wasn’t just a win on the scoreboard — it was a statement in one of the league’s fiercest rivalries. If this match was any indication, the next Oilers-Canucks meeting will be a game you just can’t miss.
