Tensions Run High as Oilers Face Canucks in Heated Rematch

The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks are set for their rematch from this past Saturday and there are questions about how this game is going to go. Will the Oilers seek retribution on Conor Garland for his hold on Connor McDavid? Do the Oilers let it go and try to win? Perhaps the Canucks will try to drag Edmonton into that kind of game and put them on tilt.

With emotions running high following news that McDavid has been suspended for three games, this is game No. 2. Some believe the league intentionally kept both McDavid and Tyler Myers (also suspended for three games) to decrease the chances of a feisty affair. McDavid or not, this could get ugly.

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The Oilers aren’t built to play that style and it likely won’t benefit them to do so. Still, the narrative going into the game is that the Oilers aren’t happy with the league’s decision to impose a stiffer fine than normal on the best player in the world. Edmonton (as is McDavid) knows that a suspension was likely coming. But to get three games when McDavid was irked about Garland’s clear hold might have the rest of the team a bit sour.

Will the Canucks vs. Oilers Game Get Nasty?

For the fans, many want to see this game get nasty. The idea of hunting Garland down, or setting sights on the Canucks’ best players has some in Oilers Nation salivating. Head coach Kris Knoblauch said the team isn’t going to get pushed around, but they aren’t going head-hunting either. When the Oilers get in trouble defensively, they get caught running around. Edmonton isn’t afraid to play that style, but they won’t go looking for it.

Canucks’ head coach Rick Tocchet, dismissed the idea of Garland being Public Enemy No. 1 in Edmonton, quipping, “Yeah, he held a guy… so is that wanted posters?” Garland didn’t care either, stating, “I didn’t try to injure him. Whatever comes with that, comes with that.”

Forward Connor Brown admitted that the game should be entertaining. He noted, “We all love playing the Canucks. It’s a rivalry… Especially how last game ended, I’m sure every guy in there will be ready to go.”

With both teams fired up and fans expecting a charged atmosphere, tonight’s matchup promises to be a must-watch.

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