Elias Pettersson scores in both of Canucks' season-opening games against the Oilers

Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson opened the NHL's 2026-27 season with goals in both of the team's early meetings with the Edmonton Oilers, even though the two games produced wildly different results.

Game one: Vancouver wins a thriller in Edmonton

On Tuesday in Edmonton, the Canucks beat the Oilers 6-5 in overtime. Vancouver had led 5-2 early in the third period, but Edmonton tied the score with just 40 seconds left in regulation. Paul Cotter scored the overtime winner, according to Yahoo Sports. Pettersson scored one goal in the game, while Jonathan Lekkerimäki added another. Linus Öhgren and Linus Karlsson picked up assists, per Omni.

Game two: a wild home opener in Vancouver

On Thursday the two teams met again, this time for Vancouver's home opener, in a game that turned into one of the most unusual of the young season. Edmonton built a stunning 8-2 lead early in the second period after a goal from Kasperi Kapanen. Vancouver then fought back, cutting the deficit with a goal from Arshdeep Bains in the final second of the second period, followed by three more Canucks goals within about seven and a half minutes in the third. Leon Draisaitl restored Edmonton's lead at 9-6, and although Jamie Oleksiak scored late to make it 9-7, Vancouver ran out of time — Edmonton held on to win 9-7.

Pettersson scored one goal and added two assists in the game. Lekkerimäki, Tom Willander and a player whose name the sources spell differently — Aftonbladet writes "Liam Öhgren," while Omni refers to "Linus Öhgren" in the context of the first game (likely the same player) — also recorded assists.

New Oilers head coach Mike Babcock said afterward he was unhappy with his team's second-half performance: "We need to learn to play 60 minutes and not just 30," he told Aftonbladet. Goaltender Devon Levi, newly arrived from Buffalo, allowed seven goals in his Oilers debut — a club record for a road win, according to Aftonbladet.

A statement start for Pettersson

According to Yahoo Sports, Pettersson — who plays under one of the team's largest contracts, worth $69.6 million — has made a strong early-season statement. The outlet reports that he now holds sole possession of ninth place on an all-time goals-scored list, though the source does not specify whether this refers to the franchise or the league as a whole.