Canucks, fans gear up for Wednesday’s tilt against the Oilers

It’s been more than three decades since the Vancouver Canucks faced the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The year was 1992. Brian Mulroney was prime minister. Basic Instinct was in theatres. Free Your Mind by En Vogue was climbing the charts. Microsoft launched Windows 3.1 and the Canucks for the second time lost a playoff series to the Oilers. They previously met in 1986.

Fast forward to today and power-forward J.T. Miller says the Canucks’ only focus right now is winning.

“We should be super excited. This is a rivalry we love playing against, ” said Miller. “When we play Canucks hockey, we’re in your face and we play in their end more than we play in our own. We’ve proven this year that when we focus and play our game and worry about ourselves, we can have the results.”

Miller describes the series as a highly anticipated battle for the Canucks.

“I don’t think we view ourselves as underdogs by any means. It’s a clean slate. We got another chance to re-rack and go again and it’s a good test.”

The Canucks played the Oilers four times in the regular season, with Vancouver winning each game, outscoring Edmonton 21-7.

But Captain Quinn Hughes says those stats don’t matter anymore.

“Since I’ve been [playing], [we’ve] probably played these guys 25-30 times, especially in the COVID year, we played them 10 times. We definitely have a feel for how good they are and what their team is, but I think that’ll probably get elevated even more.”

Hughes points out that the game plan against Edmonton is pretty straightforward — play well 5-on-5, stay out of the penalty box, and shut down Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman.

The 24-year-old from Orlando, Florida, admits he hasn’t quite grasped how big of a deal it is to play in an all-Canadian match-up.

“Obviously, it’s two markets where the hockey is so important to each city and so important to the people, so it’s going to be a really competitive series. I’m sure the fans will enjoy it.”

He adds they’re remaining grounded after knocking off the Nashville Predators last week.

“We won one round. It’s exciting but I don’t think anyone is hanging their hat on that. I think it’s just on to the next.”

Head Coach Rick Tocchet says right now his players are resting and resetting.

“For the coaches, it’s the game plan. Totally different team. I don’t think there’s a lot of changes in the way we play, but there are some tweaks that we’re going to have to do against Edmonton — offensively and defensively.”

So far, both teams say they respect each other, but not surprisingly, the smack talk is underway. One Edmonton radio host ripped into Hughes, saying, “If you really start pulverizing him, he looks like he’s going to cry all the time.”

Meanwhile, 23 of 24 ESPN hockey analysts are pegging the Oilers to win the series.

“I don’t know if we’re an underdog or if anyone is expecting us to win — I have no idea. All I know is what I know and I’m just trying to put myself in a position where I’m best prepared to play my best hockey and I think that’s what everyone on our team is trying to do,” said Hughes.

Vancouver used three goalies in the first round against the Nashville Predators, but it remains unclear who will start Game 1 on Wednesday at Rogers Arena and it’s entirely possible Arturs Silovs will continue to lead the way.

“I know he works really hard and obviously, he’s learning a lot right now. This is an important time for him and I’m sure he’s feeling confident, feeling good about himself which is really important,” praised Miller.

“I think he just did a great job and he’s a young guy. He’s very competitive and the moment wasn’t too big for him. I’m really happy for him and really happy for our team that we have another guy like that,” added Hughes.

The puck drop is just after 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Rogers Arena. Game 2 goes on Friday at 7 p.m. before the series shifts to Edmonton over the weekend.