Featured image: Vancouver players celebrate Paul Cotter’s first-period goal against Edmonton at Rogers Place on September 29, 2026. Sportsnet broadcast still via ESPN.
NHL OPENING NIGHT · SEPTEMBER 29, 2026
CANUCKS6FINAL / OT
OILERS5Rogers Place · Edmonton
Final: Vancouver Canucks 6, Edmonton Oilers 5, overtime.
Final score: Vancouver 6, Edmonton 5 (OT).
Game data: ESPN. Final score verified against the NHL game report. Open ESPN Gamecast.
Cotter ends Edmonton’s comeback in overtime
EDMONTON — Paul Cotter scored at 1:58 of overtime to give the Vancouver Canucks a 6–5 win over the Edmonton Oilers in their season opener on September 29 at Rogers Place.
The Oilers erased a three-goal deficit in the third period, with Vasily Podkolzin tying the game with 43 seconds remaining. Evan Bouchard scored a hat trick, but Cotter’s second goal of the night gave Vancouver the extra point.
Cotter opened the scoring with a short-handed goal at 9:51 of the first period before Bouchard equalized at 16:26. Marco Rossi restored Vancouver’s lead early in the second, and Bouchard answered again at 14:34 to make it 2–2.
Three quick Canucks goals, then an Oilers rally
Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Max Sasson and Elias Pettersson scored in the first 5:15 of the third period to put Vancouver ahead 5–2.
Podkolzin began Edmonton’s comeback at 8:56. Bouchard completed his hat trick 24 seconds later, and Podkolzin scored his second of the game at 19:17 to force overtime.
Sasson assisted on Cotter’s winner. Edmonton finished with a 35–23 advantage in shots, but Vancouver left with the opening-night victory.
