Oilers Beat Canucks 3-2 in S.O., Boudreau at 599, Miller 99

Edmonton Oilers 3, Vancouver Canucks 2 – Shoot-out

In their second and final meaningless game of the regular season the Vancouver Canucks lost to the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in a shoot-out.

The Game was not utterly meaningless for two individuals in particular. Head Coach Bruce Boudreau sought his 600th career victory as an NHL coach, while two points for JT Miller would mean 100 on the season.

Boudreau didn’t pick up the win. He’s 22nd on the all-time NHL career wins list.

Miller tallied one point to finish the season with 99, 17 more than his previous career high two seasons ago.

The OIlers were resting key players for the start of the postseason next week, including Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and defenceman Darnell Nurse.

Just like the game the night before against the LA Kings at Rogers Arena, one that ultimately meant nothing to the Canucks with the playoffs out of reach, this one picked up in intensity in the third period as the competitive juices came to the forefront after breathing easy most of the evening.

Special Teams

Even in games of shinny, it often comes down to special teams. It would likely be pretty quiet.

The Vancouver Canucks received the only two power plays of the first period and despite chances failed to score. Brett Kulak and Evander Kane each spent two minutes in the box.

There were no infractions whistled in the 2nd period.

In the third period Alex Chiasson of the Vancouver Canucks went off for tripping at 15:05 with the game tied 2-2. The penalty kill did its job effectively.

Goal Scorers

1st Period 1-0 Vancouver – JT Miller (32) – Brad Hunt, Conor Garland (17:31) Even Strength

((– Miller ripped a shot high glove from the slot for his 99th point of the season.))

3rd Period 1-1 Edmonton – Brett Kulak (5) – Kailer Yamamoto, Ryan McLeod (:31) Even Strength

((– A shot from the left point sailed past a screen and inside the near post.))

3rd Period 2-1 Vancouver – Conor Garland (19) – Quinn Hughes (2:25) Even Strength

((– Cruising into the zone on the left wing Garland fired a shot short-side that Mikko Koskinen should have had.))

3rd Period 2-2 Edmonton – Tyson Barrie (7) Zack Kassian, Derick Brassard (9:10) Even Strength

((– Shot from the mid-point past a screen found its way inside the glove side post, unseen.))

Shoot-out —

EDM – Ryan Nugent Hopkins – NO – Deke, missed

VAN – Elias Pettersson – NO – Shot, wide

EDM – Evander Kane – NO – Glove save

VAN – JT Miller – NO – Deke, backhand stopped

EDM – Kailer Yamamoto – NO – Lost puck

VAN – Brock Boeser – NO – Chip shot stopped

EDM – Derick Brassard – NO – Shot stopped

VAN – Vasily Podkolzin – NO – Shot stopped

EDM – Tyson Barrie – NO – Backhand wide

VAN – Conor Garland – NO – Deke, wrister stopped

EDM – Devin Shore – YES – Shot, high blocker

VAN – Oliver Ekman Larsson – NO – Shot stopped

Oilers win it in six rounds.

Simmer’s Vancouver Canucks 3 Stars:

3) Quinn Hughes – Broken record. Does it all. Added his 60th assist of the season.

2) Conor Garland – Goal, assist and his usual energy. Created opportunities.

1) Spencer Martin – Huge saves late. Stopped 33 of 35 total shots. Forced the shoot-out.