It's been a while since the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. On Wednesday, it looked like Edmonton would come away with an emphatic win in Game 1. However, something happened in the third period, and the game flipped on its head. And in the end, Vancouver stormed back to win 5-4.
Edmonton had a 4-1 lead at one point during the second period. However, the Canucks scored four unanswered goals to claim their victory. It's given them a 1-0 series lead heading into Game 2, also in Vancouver. And it almost certainly has to give them added confidence for the rest of this series.
Hockey fans also decided to chip in with their thoughts. They took to social media as the events unfolded. And they did not let up on Edmonton. Fans let the Oilers have it on Wednesday night as the clock ticked down in Game 2 against the Canucks.
Fans react to Oilers collapse
A few different reactions came through social media on Wednesday night. One Canucks fan expressed their joy at the turn of events in Game 1. They even considered this game a better form of victory than a dominating game where Vancouver was undoubtedly the better team.
“Can't imagine a better win. Even better than blowing them out. The Oilers got all the breaks and still blew it. Canucks stuck with it and got rewarded. The seeds of doubt have been planted!!!” the fan wrote on social media after Game 1.
One Oilers fan used the opportunity to criticize their play during the collapse. Specifically, they called out Edmonton's lack of shooting during the third period. At one point, they went over 20 minutes without a shot on goal. “Not taking a single shot on a goalie who can’t make a save is a f*****g ridiculous strategy,” the fan wrote.
Another Edmonton fan expressed their displeasure with the loss. Their commentary on the collapse was a bit more tongue and cheek, though. “I hope the Oilers all have the worst meal of their life tonight after blowing this lead,” they wrote on Wednesday night. “Serve them Golden Corral.”
Finally, a Montreal Canadiens fan account had fun with Game 1. They joked about the Canucks coming back and snatching victory from the jaws of defeat on Wednesday, certainly to the dismay of Oilers fans.
Canucks look for 2-0 series lead
The Canucks are now in great position for the rest of this series. Edmonton is almost certainly going to come out with a purpose in Game 2. But if Vancouver can defeat the Oilers once again, they put a stranglehold on the series. And it gives them a massive advantage before the series shifts to Edmonton for Games 3 and 4.
For Edmonton, their loss came with a bit of history no team wants to make. Game 2 marked the eighth time the Oilers have lost in the playoffs after blowing a 3-goal lead. No team in the NHL has more losses of this variety than Edmonton does. The next closest team is the Dallas Stars with seven.
The Canucks got the job done in Game 1, but this is only the beginning. It'll certainly be interesting to see how things pan out on the ice in Game 2. Fans can watch Game 2 on Friday night on TNT in the United States. Puck drop is currently scheduled for 10 PM Eastern Time.
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