Paul Cotter scores in OT as the Canucks beat the Oilers 6-5 in the opener

In a thrilling start to their season, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 in overtime on Tuesday night at the Scotiabank Arena in Edmonton. Paul Cotter, a free agent who joined Vancouver earlier this year, scored the game-winning goal in the first minute of overtime, becoming the first player in Canucks history to score a shorthanded goal on his debut with the team.

Marco Rossi, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Max Sasson, and Elias Pettersson all found the back of the net for the Canucks, who finished last in the NHL last season with a 25-49-8 record. The Oilers, on the other hand, were led by Vasily Podkolzin, who scored twice for his team, and Evan Bouchard, who recorded a hat trick and added two assists, becoming the first defenseman in Oilers history to score a multi-goal game in a season opener and just the third defenseman in NHL history to do so.

Kevin Lankinen made 32 saves for the Canucks, while Tristan Jarry made 17 saves for the Oilers. Entering the third period, the game was tied 2-2, but Pettersson sparked a three-goal surge by the Canucks just 5:15 into the period, leading to a 5-2 Canucks lead. The Oilers fought back with goals from Podkolzin and Bouchard within 24 seconds of each other, but it wasn't enough as the Canucks prevailed in overtime.