Ex-Canuck Vasily Podkolzin to get big opportunity against former teammates

The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks are set to face each other tonight for the first time since Game 7 in the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It's going to be a tough test for the Vancouver Canucks as the Edmonton Oilers appear to be icing a lot of their regulars tonight including Connor McDavid, Leon Drasaitl along with Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner, who they added over the summer.

But there's one name in the lineup tonight for the Oilers that'll be very familiar to Vancouver Canucks fans and that's Vasily Podkolzin, who will be looking to make a good impression on his new team. Podkolzin has a lot to prove to the Oilers and he'll likely be extra motivated for tonight's game since he's playing his former club.

Not only is Podkolzin in the lineup for Edmonton, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch has given the 23-year-old Russian a massive opportunity tonight as he'll be on the team's top line with Connor McDavid and Corey Perry, the latter of whom is entering his 20th season in the National Hockey League.

Podkolzin, a native of Moscow, has appeared in three preseason games for the Oilers this season where he's registered two points (one goal, one assist) and six shots-on-goal. If Podkolzin has another strong showing tonight, he could cement his place on Edmonton's opening night roster. On the other hand, if the Oilers want him to get some games down in the AHL with Bakersfield to start the year, he'll need to be placed on waivers.

Tonight's game between the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers is set to get underway shortly after 6 pm PT and can be viewed across the country on Sportsnet.