VANCOUVER — After an exhibition season filled with prospects delivering offence for the Canucks, it was a familiar name getting the winner in the pre-season finale.
Daniel Sedin scored in 3-on-3 overtime for Vancouver in a 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.
Although it was Sedin’s first goal — and point — of the pre-season, he’s enjoyed the front-row seat as NHL hopefuls like Jared McCann, Ben Hutton, and Jake Virtanen battle for spots on the regular-season Canucks roster.
"It’s so fun to see as an older player and teammate," said Sedin. "They push each other and push all of us to get better. We need that."
Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins knows he has some tough decisions to make ahead of Vancouver’s regular-season opener on Wednesday in Calgary. Desjardins, however, wasn’t tipping his hand as to who might be sticking around.
"There’s not just my viewpoint that goes in," he said. "There’s lots of other viewpoints. We’ll talk it over."
McCann is definitely considered a contender after having one of the better pre-seasons with two goals and two assists.
"I’m just really thankful that they’ve kept me around this long," said McCann. "It’s been a huge learning experience for me to learn from two guys like the Sedins. And in the future, if I’m on the team or not, I’m going to take this as a good experience."
Jannik Hansen and Bo Horvat also scored for Vancouver (4-3-1).
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Benoit Pouliot scored for the Oilers (6-1-1), who kick off their campaign against the Blues in St. Louis on Thursday.
Pouliot had multiple chances in the second and was finally rewarded early in the third when Nugent-Hopkins wheeled past Hutton to set up Pouliot for the tying goal.
"I think today was my best game (of the pre-season) and that’s a big confidence booster for myself," said Pouliot. "Hopefully I bring that on Thursday in St. Louis."
Vancouver opened up the scoring four minutes into the game off a 3-on-2 rush. Sven Baertschi sent a beautiful cross-ice pass to Horvat for a tip in.
Horvat has been one of Vancouver’s best players this pre-season and expectations for the sophomore forward are set to rise. He led the team with four goals in pre-season and often looked like Vancouver’s most dangerous offensive player.
"Bo is always kind of surprising me a little bit." said Desjardin. "I think that’s a big step. Lots of guys have trouble in the second year. For us he’s played well and I hope he keeps getting to play that way."
Goalie Ryan Miller was forced to look sharp early in the second with the Oilers’ top line buzzing in the Canucks zone. He made a big stop on a backhanded shot from Pouliot off a breakaway. Edmonton outshot the Canucks 14-7 in the period.
Nugent-Hopkins scored what looked like the go-ahead goal with just over two minutes left on a 2-on-1 with Teddy Purcell, but Vancouver tied it 2-2 seconds later when Hansen banged home a loose puck in the crease.
"We’re disappointed that we couldn’t close it out," said Oilers head coach Todd McLellan "We need to learn to do that as a team."
Miller made 25 saves for the win as Cam Talbot kicked out 24-of-27 shots in defeat.
It was the second straight exhibition game between the teams, with the Canucks defeating the Oilers 5-2 on Thursday in Edmonton.
