We're not expecting to see the Canucks' star netminder Thatcher Demko before game 5 of this series, at the very least. However, despite the fact that the Canucks are playing the goaltender who was meant to be their AHL Starter, the former Canuck Jannik Hansen still gives the Canucks the upper hand in the goaltending department.
Meaning he views Arturs Silovs as a superior netminder to the Oilers' Stuart Skinner. Goaltending hasn't been the Oilers' strong suit for some years now, but to say that a rookie out of the AHL is superior to their top netminder should say a lot.
On top of it all, Hansen added that Tocchet's defensive structure and blue line personnel gave the Canucks the upper hand. We will, however, see who's more dominant offensively speaking. Will they be able to contain Connor McDavid and his goalscoring acolytes Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman? Will Elias Pettersson finally join J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser's show and go back to the offensive force he was earlier this season?
This will definitely one of the most interesting series. The Canucks swept the 4-game regular season series, but the Oilers are confident in their ability to come back, will it be enough?
POLL | ||
MAI 7 | 1240 ANSWERS Jannik Hansen gives his take: Arturs Silovs over Stuart Skinner? Who would you rather have in your net for the 2nd Round? | ||
Arturs Silvos | 1027 | 82.8 % |
Stuart Skinner | 120 | 9.7 % |
Neither | 93 | 7.5 % |
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