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Goaltending has been a major story in this series.
If you’re a fan of the Vancouver Canucks, that’s a good thing. If you cheer for the Edmonton Oilers, not so much.
Brock Boeser had three points for the Canucks in the first period, and goaltender Arturs Silovs did the rest. The rookie had 43 saves as the Canucks defeated the Oilers 4-3 at Rogers Place in Game 3.
Silovs was unbelievable for the Canucks, especially in the third period as his team was outshot 22-3. Evan Bouchard did score for the Oilers with the net empty to make it a one-goal game, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was robbed by Silovs with one second left on the clock.
“He was amazing, and he made some massive saves at the end,” Canucks captain Quinn Hughes said postgame. “He looks so calm and poised and honestly, I cant say enough about what he’s done for us.”
What a game it’s been so far for Arturs Silovs 👏 pic.twitter.com/kpynm3S5xp
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 13, 2024
“I just felt confident,” Silovs said after his legendary performance. “These guys got my back since Game 1 [of the series], so I had to have them today. Those guys are resilient too with blocking shots. That was key for us.”
“It’s so nice to win in a hostile place. It’s fun to win these kind of games.”
Oilers’ star Leon Draisaitl, who scored in this game but was also stopped by Silovs on a breakaway, wasn’t as complimentary of the Canucks’ netminder.
“The post is not good goaltending.” Draisaitl bluntly told reporters. He was referring to a second period chance where he beat Silovs, but not the post.
“He’s obviously laying well and he’s made some big stops but we can bear down and do a better job of burying chances.”
At the other end of the ice, Stuart Skinner didn’t have the same magic. He allowed four goals on 15 shots and was pulled after two periods.
“Yes, we need more saves,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said postgame. “I think tonight is one he’d like to have back.”
Skinner might have been a Calder Trophy nominee as a rookie last season, but it’s the rookie Silovs who has put the league on notice in these playoffs.
Game 4 takes place at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Tuesday night at 6:30pm PT.
Canucks power play comes alive
Despite the talent the Canucks boast on their first unit, the power play has been anything but efficient so far in the playoffs.
At least, that was the case until tonight.
The Canucks had three power play goals in eight games heading into this contest. They added two more power play goals tonight, both off the stick of Elias Lindholm.
He tipped a Boeser shot past Skinner early in the first period.
Canucks waste no time providing an answer. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Z3gd8zBhTa
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 13, 2024
Then in the second, he scored a nifty power play goal, tucking the puck under his skate, before kicking it onto his stick and scoring.
Sweet footy skills, Elias! 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/tMYGZUG7pH
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 13, 2024
The Canucks power play won’t always be able to keep up with the Oilers dynamic man advantage, but they did tonight, which was one of the main reasons why they were able to emerge with the victory.
More to come…