Saturday was a busy night for Canada’s NHL teams, with a few making statements that went a long way toward both the standings and building team confidence. The Edmonton Oilers have discovered their offense and reminded everyone why Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are the deadliest duo in the league. Meanwhile, Vancouver had players step up when Elias Pettersson unexpectedly went missing. Finally, the Flames were given another reason to be confident that the season is not a write-off.
For fans of Canadian hockey teams, these achievements are worth noting.
Oilers 6, Jets 2 – Evan Bouchard Red Hot
The Oilers jumped on a tired Winnipeg Jets team, playing in back-to-back games. Edmonton exploded on offense, and the Oilers dropped four goals in the first period to earn a 6-2 win at Rogers Place. Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard each had a goal and an assist, while Connor McDavid added two helpers.
Edmonton’s dominance in the first period – 16-5 in shots – set the tone early. Furthermore, Stuart Skinner’s calm play in the crease prevented the Jets from mounting a serious comeback.
McDavid and Draisaitl continue to push their teammates to the next level, but Bouchard’s play has really come on strong as of late. The team scored from the fourth line and defenseman Alec Regula played a season-high 20-plus minutes on the ice. The Oilers appear more balanced and connected, which fans say is long overdue.
Canucks 4, Wild 2 – Raty breaks out
Aatu Raty stole the show in Vancouver, scoring twice and adding an assist in a 4-2 win over Minnesota. His performance suggests he could become more than a temporary substitute. The timing of his rise is almost perfect. Räty is not yet a household name. However, there’s a good chance he can give the Canucks a solid center.
Tom Willander scored his first NHL goal, and young defenseman Elias Pettersson also contributed, helping the Canucks snap a five-game slide. Willander is an integral part of Vancouver’s youth pipeline, which could shape the type of trades the Canucks are willing to make as they shop veterans and UFAs.
Nikita Tolopilo’s 28 saves provided steady goal-scoring, allowing Vancouver’s young forwards to take calculated risks and generate attacks.
Flames 2, Mammoth 0 – Wolf is high
Calgary’s Dustin Wolf recorded his second shutout of the season, knocking down 27 shots in a 2-0 win over Utah. Yegor Sharangovich scored just 16 seconds in, the Flames’ fastest opener since April last year, and Connor Zary sealed the win with an empty-netter. Calgary’s penalty kill was great, going 17-for-17.
Outside of a setback against the Lightning, Wolf has found his game for the Flames. His shutout comes after a .963 save percentage performance against the Wild and a .917 performance against Nashville. He is recovering from a difficult start.
Also returning is Sharangovich, whose attacking instincts are finally paying off.
Trade talk will continue to surround the Flames, but wins behind a franchise goalie could change how much the organization is willing to consider.
Related: Oil companies confirmed interest in Jarry, but problem is holding back business
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