Oilers Secure First Win of Season with 3-1 Victory Over Canucks
In a decisive match on March 15, 2025, the **Edmonton Oilers** clinched their first victory of the season, defeating the **Vancouver Canucks** 3-1 at Rogers Place in **Edmonton, Alberta**. The Oilers showcased a strong performance, particularly in the second period, where both **Noah Philp** and **Andrew Mangiapane** found the back of the net.
The scoring began with Philp, who netted his first NHL goal at 7:39 into the second period. He capitalized on a feed from **Kasperi Kapanen** and fired a precise snapshot past **Thatcher Demko**, putting the Oilers ahead 1-0. Mangiapane, marking his 500th NHL game, followed suit just before the end of the period. He intercepted a misdirected pass from **Filip Chytil** and scored with 51 seconds remaining, extending the Oilers’ lead to 2-0.
**Leon Draisaitl** sealed the victory with a short-handed goal, converting a long backhanded shot into an empty net with just 1:13 left in the game. This goal further emphasized the Oilers’ dominance and secured a solid win.
Despite the loss, the Canucks managed to get on the scoreboard early in the third period. **Brock Boeser** scored just 47 seconds into the frame, narrowing the gap to 2-1. The goal was facilitated by **Quinn Hughes**, who earned an assist, marking his 410th career point. This achievement allowed Hughes to surpass **Alex Edler** for the most points by a defenseman in Canucks history, a record he attained in just 435 games compared to Edler’s 925.
In terms of goaltending, **Calvin Pickard** made 14 saves for the Oilers, demonstrating solid defensive play. In contrast, Demko faced a challenging night, stopping 34 shots but ultimately falling short in the contest.
Looking ahead, the Canucks are set to host the **St. Louis Blues** on Monday, while the Oilers will visit the **New York Rangers** on Tuesday. With this win, Edmonton aims to build on their momentum as the season progresses.
