The Edmonton Oilers were dominant last night versus the Vancouver Canucks in a 3-1 win. All of the Corgis were barking in a good direction for the home side and all four lines had tidy five-on-five results. Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko was the story for the visitors, and here are my observations of the game.

Draisaltl-McDavid-Frederic led the way at five-on-five minutes (11:40) and outshot 7-3. No goals, HDSC’s 5-0 and 89 percent expected goals. McDavid had three HDSC, Frederic two, including an early point blank chance. Leon scored a troll goal ENG, backhand from 90 feet with German precision. McDavid picked up an assist on a night the entire line was flying. Frederic doesn’t have the mitts to fly with these fellows, but Zach Hyman will be back soon.

Podkolzin-Philp-Kapanen were the No. 2 line in time-on-ice at five-on-five (9:34) and Philp scored the opening goal on a beauty. It was a power move by a RH center heading down Broadway, haven’t seen many of those this century. The line was 7-2 shots, 1-1 goals, 52 percent expected goals, 1-1 HDSC. Kris Knoblauch has played this line as his No. 2 unit (in terms of TOI) in both games. An interesting wrinkle.

Mangiapane-Nuge-Savoie played 8:19 together at five-on-five, 7-1 shots, no goals, 95 percent expected goals, 3-0 HDSC. I liked all three players on the night. Matt Savoie skated miles and was a demon on the forecheck. He had four shots and three HDSC’s at five-on-five. Only a matter of time before he scores a goal on this line. Andrew Mangiapane potted his second goal in two games, the goal combined anticipation and an acccurate shot from the slot. Music! Nuge was most noticeable on the power play, but did plenty of good work without the puck at five-on-five.

Howard-Henrique-Tomasek were 3-3 shots in 6:39 together. 62 percent expected goals and no HDSC’s. The line got lost a little because they weren’t making much happen offensively and the other three units were having a time. Howard is vulnerable because he can get sent out without waivers, Henrique is vulnerable because Noah Philp is eating his lunch (there’s just zero comparison, Philp has more jump) but Henrique did have a couple of PP chances. Tomasek had FIVE HDSC’s on the power play! Couldn’t beat a great goalie. That’s once. If he continues to get chances and doesn’t bury them, it’ll be trouble for Tomasek. I expect he’ll find the range. Holy hel he blew through some 10-bell chances without a goal, though.

Ekholm-Bouchard played 13:25, 11-2 shots, no goals, 5-0 HDSC and 91 percent expected goals. So far this season at five-on-five, the tandem is 1-0 goals but 26-6 shots! The goals will come. Absolutely filthy numbers.

Nurse-Regula played 13:15, 10-5 shots, 2-1 HDSC and 72 percent HDSC. Nurse had a far better game than in the first outing, and Regula was effective when Evander Kane wasn’t trying to end him. I like the pairing.

Kulak-Emberson went 2-5 shots is 11:15 together. They were 1-1 goals and 22 percent expected goals. I think they had some tough moments but would keep them together.

Calvin Pickard had a solid game. He stopped 14 of 15 (.933) including all four HDSC’s. I would run him in Game 3.

I wrote about Oilers prospects at The Athletic, including a few words about the Condors game yesterday. It is here.