Oilers face injuries and revenge bid after loss to Canucks

Background

The Vancouver Canucks had a rough time at home last season, finishing 2025-26 with a league-worst 9-27-5 home record - five fewer wins than the next-worst team, according to Daily Hive. Looking to turn things around, the Canucks open their home schedule at Rogers Arena on Thursday night.

The Opponent

Their opponent is the Edmonton Oilers, the same team Vancouver beat in overtime in Tuesday's season opener. Head coach Manny Malhotra cautioned against complacency, saying there is plenty to clean up defensively. "Game One was nice to get under our belt, but it'll be a whole different animal tonight," Malhotra said.

Lineups

The Canucks kept their lines unchanged from Tuesday's win, with Jake DeBrusk, Elias Pettersson and Jonathan Lekkerimäki set to start on the top line, and Kevin Lankinen expected in goal. Pettersson scored once in the opener and led the team in faceoff percentage at 50%, though the rest of the roster won just 12 of 36 draws. Malhotra also explained the decision to name six alternate captains this season, aiming to give more players a voice in the room.

The Oilers, meanwhile, are adjusting their lineup after the loss and a fresh injury. Already missing Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jason Dickinson, Matt Savoie and Frederik Andersen, Edmonton will also be without winger Zach Hyman, who is expected out roughly two weeks after playing through an injury sustained in the preseason finale. Without Hyman, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will be paired with Vasily Podkolzin, who scored twice in the season opener, on the top line. Devon Levi is expected to start in net after Tristan Jarry allowed six goals on Tuesday.