Calvin Pickard emerges as the hero, rescuing the Edmonton Oilers' season with his stellar performance.

 Calvin Pickard emerges as the hero, rescuing the Edmonton Oilers' season with his stellar performance.

Leon Draisaitl (29) of the Edmonton Oilers jubilantly celebrates his goal with teammates in the first period of the second-round NHL playoff clash against the Vancouver Canucks in Edmonton on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. (PHOTO BY GREG SOUTHAM / Postmedia)

The Edmonton Oilers showcased their best performance, securing a 3-2 victory against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.

However, Silovs wasn't the standout player on the ice this time. That title belongs to Evan Bouchard, the game-winning scorer.

In total, Edmonton registered 17 Grade A shots compared to Vancouver's eight, with the more threatening 5-alarm shots tallying six for the Oilers and three for the Canucks.

Connor McDavid, wearing number 7, had a commendable performance, tallying one assist along with a minor drawback, though his positives far outweighed the negatives. During a power play, he skillfully attracted three Canucks defenders towards him before delivering a pass to Draisaitl for the game's opening goal. In the second period, his line exhibited dominance, generating four Grade A shots and maintaining significant offensive zone presence. However, he erred slightly in the defensive zone during Vancouver's second goal, allowing Brock Boeser too much time to select his shot placement, which is generally unwise.

McDavid's contributions to Grade A Shots (GAS): Even Strength +5/-1; Special Teams +2/-0.

Zach Hyman, donning number 7, played a crucial role by setting up a reliable screen for Edmonton's opening goal. Throughout the game, he exhibited relentless effort, showcasing numerous intelligent hustle plays. He maintained a solid defensive performance without any notable errors.

Hyman's contributions to Grade A Shots (GAS): Even Strength +3/-0; Special Teams +3/-0.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, wearing number 8, delivered an exceptional goal in this match. Rejoined on the top line, his performance surged once again. Particularly noteworthy was his early involvement in Edmonton's highly active penalty kill, which received accolades for allowing just one shot during a double-minor kill in the first period. Nugent-Hopkins won a crucial board battle, enabling Nurse to take a breakaway shot. The pivotal moment arrived when Vancouver's Carson Soucy's severe cross-check led to a suspension, resulting in his replacement, Noah Juulsen, being out of position. This allowed Edmonton to capitalize with a 2-on-1 break-in, culminating in RNH expertly slotting a shot off the post. Additionally, he demonstrated accuracy by narrowly missing the target with several powerful slot shots during early power plays in the third period.

Nugent-Hopkins' contributions to Grade A Shots (GAS): Even Strength +0/-0; Special Teams +1/-0.

Leon Draisaitl, sporting number 8, displayed remarkable resilience despite not appearing to be in peak physical condition. He contributed significantly to the game with one goal and one assist. His line generated several threatening attacks, with Draisaitl's adept footwork drawing an early penalty on J.T. Miller. He capitalized on the power play opportunity by executing his renowned Executioner’s Shot past Arturs Silovs. However, a risky no-look, backhand turnover led to a 2-on-1 break late in the first period, yet Draisaitl redeemed himself with a determined backcheck. Although he was slow to react to the shooter on Garland’s goal, he showcased his exceptional playmaking ability by setting up Bouchard for the winning goal with a typically fantastic pass. With twenty points in nine playoff games, Draisaitl currently leads the league.

Draisaitl's contributions to Grade A Shots (GAS): Even Strength +5/-1; Special Teams +2/-0.

Evander Kane, also earning an 8, marked his return to playoff form in a pivotal moment for the series. He made a significant impact by aggressively engaging Nikita Zadorov, earning cheers from the crowd. Kane's relentless pressure led to multiple collisions with Zadorov, showcasing his physical dominance. However, he received an ill-advised cross-checking penalty to Tyler Myers' face. Despite this setback, Kane's relentless forecheck created opportunities, including Nurse's Grade A chance. He narrowly missed a slot shot late in the second period, hitting the post. Kane's pivotal clearance in the third nearly resulted in a breakaway goal. Furthermore, his massive hit on Filip Hronek initiated a momentum shift, ultimately contributing to Bouchard's decisive goal. This performance solidified Kane's status as a dominant force in the series, challenging the notion of who truly holds the title of the Apex Predator.

Evander Kane's contributions to Grade A Shots (GAS): Even Strength +0/-0; Special Teams +1/-0.

The Edmonton Oilers are opting for a goaltending change, with backup Calvin Pickard slated to start Game 4 against the Canucks.