Overview

• Head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed Calvin Pickard will start for Edmonton against Vancouver, shifting away from Stuart Skinner for the Oilers’ second game.
• The move reflects an early goaltending evaluation in Edmonton, with insiders describing Skinner as “on the clock” following criticism of a costly error in the shootout loss to Calgary.
• Vancouver opened with a 5–1 win over the Flames that featured two goals from Filip Chytil and marked Adam Foote’s first victory as an NHL head coach.
• Thatcher Demko is expected to start again for the Canucks, who are projected to dress the same lineup used in their season-opening win.
• Abbotsford announced its AHL opening-night roster of 16 forwards, seven defencemen and four goalies as it begins a Calder Cup defense, and the Canucks unveiled a new space-themed pregame video by longtime creator Mike Pohorly with a Kevin Bieksa tie-in.