The Edmonton Oilers secured a 3-1 victory against the Vancouver Canucks on March 2, 2024, thanks to a strong second period where Noah Philp and Andrew Mangiapane found the net. This win marked the Oilers’ first of the season, as they rallied effectively in front of their home crowd in Edmonton, Alberta.
Philp opened the scoring with just under eight minutes remaining in the second period. The 27-year-old forward, playing in his 17th NHL game, received a pass from Kasperi Kapanen and skillfully beat Canucks’ goaltender Thatcher Demko with a precise snapshot. His goal not only ignited the home crowd but also marked Philp’s first NHL goal, a significant milestone for the young player.
With the Oilers leading 1-0, Mangiapane extended their advantage to 2-0 less than a minute before the second intermission. The forward, who was celebrating his 500th NHL game, intercepted an errant pass from Filip Chytil during a 4-on-4 situation. Mangiapane capitalized on the opportunity, showcasing his sharp instincts and scoring his second goal in as many games with Edmonton.
As the third period commenced, the Canucks responded quickly. Brock Boeser found the back of the net just 47 seconds into the period, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Quinn Hughes assisted on the goal, marking a notable achievement as he surpassed Alex Edler for the most points by a defenseman in Canucks history, reaching 410 points in only 435 games.
Despite the Canucks’ effort to mount a comeback, the Oilers sealed their victory with a short-handed goal from Leon Draisaitl. With just 1:13 left in the game, Draisaitl converted a long backhanded shot into an empty net, bringing the score to 3-1. Goaltender Calvin Pickard was instrumental in the win, making 14 saves and ensuring that the Canucks could not add to their score.
Looking ahead, the Canucks will host the St. Louis Blues on March 4, while the Oilers prepare for a matchup against the New York Rangers on March 5. Both teams will aim to build on their respective performances as the season progresses.
