The date was set for a December 23rd clash between the Edmonton Oilers and the hometown Vancouver Canucks. Head coach, Travis Green deployed a roster of what he thought would be capable of defeating Connor McDavid and the Oilers.
A string of three consecutive wins at home would be the perfect gift to the fans heading into the holidays — a surefire way to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive. Don’t forget that ownership, management and the coaching staff has promised that this is a playoff team.
Heading into what was bound to be a feisty battle, Vancouver sat four points back of the Edmonton with two games in hand, all while holding onto 10th place in the western conference.