Gameday preview: Canucks vs Oilers (April 29)

The Vancouver Canucks have one more game left before an offseason that looks to be an interesting one.

After a 3-2 comeback overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings in their final home game of the season, the Canucks head to Alberta’s capital to take on the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers are heading to the playoffs and will face the Kings in round one.

For the Canucks, they look to end their season on a high note with their 41st victory of the year. Head Coach Bruce Boudreau will likely put out the same lineup from the overtime win over LA on Thursday. Spencer Martin was solid in that game and it looks like he will have back to back starts.

“It will probably be Martin,” said Boudreau on Friday morning per Brendan Batchelor of Sportsnet 650. “That’s the way we’re looking at it right now.”

The Oilers are also play the second of a back to back. On Thursday evening, they lost 5-4 in overtime at home to the San Jose Sharks.

Oilers superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will not play against the Canucks. They will be rested for the playoffs which begin next week.

Mikko Koskinen will get the start for Edmonton.

The Canucks and Oilers have previously met three times this season. Edmonton has won all three meetings and will go for the season sweep. These two teams last met on January 25 at Rogers Arena. McDavid got the overtime winner and that was Martin’s second start of the season.

Players to watch

Edmonton Oilers: Kailer Yamamoto- Yamamoto hit the 20-goal and 40 point marks for the first time in his career on Thursday against the Sharks.

Vancouver Canucks: J.T. Miller– Miller is two points away from hitting the 100 point mark. The only other Canucks to get at least 100 points in a season are Pavel Bure,(He did it twice) Alexander Mogilny, Markus Naslund and Daniel and Henrik Sedin.

“It’s definitely crossed my mind,” said Miller on being close to 100 points. “I keep telling myself not to change my game to just try and get it. I’m definitely not going to cheat for it. Just trying to play my game.”

Puck drop is at 6:00 p.m. You can watch the game on Sportsnet Pacific or listen to it on Sportsnet 650.