The Vancouver Canucks opened the 2026-27 NHL season with a 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, September 29, at Rogers Place.
The Canucks vs Oilers opener featured eight goals through the first three periods, with Vancouver scoring three times in the third to pull away in a tightly contested game.
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Canucks Vs Oilers: Canucks take late lead in Edmonton
Vancouver struck first when Paul Cotter scored shorthanded at 9:51 of the opening period.
Edmonton responded before the intermission through Evan Bouchard, who tied the game at 1-1 with an even-strength goal.
Marco Rossi restored Vancouver’s lead early in the second period, scoring at 2:07 with assists from Liam Öhgren and Filip Hronek.
Bouchard answered again at 14:34 of the middle frame, scoring his second goal of the night with Connor McDavid and Alex Formenton credited with the assists.
The teams entered the third period tied 2-2 before Vancouver’s offence took control.
Jonathan Lekkerimäki put the Canucks ahead at 1:10 of the final period, with Jake DeBrusk and Jamie Oleksiak setting up the play.
Max Sasson extended the lead less than two minutes later, scoring at 2:55 on a sequence involving Drew O’Connor and Linus Karlsson.
Elias Pettersson then scored on the power play at 5:15 to give Vancouver a 5-2 advantage.
Edmonton pushed back when Vasily Podkolzin scored at 8:56, but the Oilers could not complete the comeback.
Pettersson provides the difference
Pettersson’s power-play goal proved to be the deciding marker after Edmonton reduced the deficit to two goals.
The result gave Vancouver an opening-night victory under head coach Manny Malhotra, who was hired as the 23rd head coach in franchise history in June.
For Edmonton, the defeat spoiled Mike Babcock’s first regular-season game behind the Oilers’ bench.
Babcock’s team had entered the opener with a 4-0-0 preseason record and had allowed only five goals during exhibition play.
The Oilers opened the regular season with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl expected to anchor the top six, while Bouchard supplied two goals from the blue line.
First game of four between Pacific rivals
Tuesday’s matchup was the first of four regular-season meetings between Vancouver and Edmonton in 2026-27.
The teams will meet again on Thursday, October 1, when the Oilers visit Rogers Arena for Vancouver’s home opener.
The remaining meetings are scheduled for November 7 in Edmonton and March 21 in Vancouver.
Vancouver entered the season opener after finishing the preseason with a 4-3 win over the Seattle Kraken.
Edmonton had also completed an unbeaten preseason, including a 2-1 victory over Vancouver in a September 24 exhibition game.
The regular-season result gives the Canucks an early advantage in the four-game series and starts the new campaign with a road win against one of their Pacific Division rivals.
What comes next
The Canucks and Oilers now shift quickly to the second half of their opening home-and-home series.
Vancouver will host Edmonton on October 1 at Rogers Arena, with the Canucks looking to build on their late offensive surge and the Oilers seeking an immediate response.
The rematch will also be the first regular-season home game for Malhotra’s Vancouver team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Canucks vs Oilers score on September 29, 2026?
The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 at Rogers Place.
Who scored the winning goal for Vancouver?
Elias Pettersson scored the deciding power-play goal at 5:15 of the third period.
How many times will the Canucks and Oilers play in the 2026-27 regular season?
They are scheduled to meet four times during the regular season.
When is the next Canucks vs Oilers game?
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
Who are the head coaches of the Canucks and Oilers?
Manny Malhotra coaches Vancouver, while Mike Babcock leads Edmonton.
Fact-Checked: Key game details, scheduling information and team context were checked against official Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers information, with the final score corroborated by the game record.
Disclaimer: Scores and schedules are subject to correction if the NHL or either club issues a post-game statistical update.