VANCOUVER, BC – The Edmonton Oilers clinched their spot in the Western Conference Final with a hard-fought 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 at Rogers Arena. The Oilers capitalized on a three-goal second period, weathering a late push from the Canucks in the final minutes of regulation.
Second-Period Surge
The Oilers wasted no time, with defenseman Cody Ceci opening the scoring less than two minutes into the middle frame. Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins followed suit, extending Edmonton’s lead to 3-0 heading into the final period.
Canucks’ Resilience
The Canucks fought back, scoring twice in a 3:57 stretch of the third period. Conor Garland and Filip Hronek found the net, making it a tense finish. However, the Oilers held their ground, preventing any late-game heroics from Vancouver.
Nugent-Hopkins and Bouchard Shine
Nugent-Hopkins sealed the victory with a power-play goal in the second period. Meanwhile, defenseman Evan Bouchard set an NHL record for the most points by a blueliner in the first two playoff rounds.
Conference Final Showdown
The Oilers now face the Dallas Stars in Round 3, vying for a chance to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final. The series kicks off with Game 1 at American Airlines Center on Thursday.
