<p>It happened again&#8230; Final Score: 5-2 Canucks</p>
<p><em style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Welcome to our Oilers game day content presented by <a class="text-accent" href="https://betway.com/en/sports/grp/ice-hockey/north-america/nhl" rel="noopener noreferrer">NHL lines</a> site Betway!</em></p>
<p>Even though my brain spent the day telling me that the Oilers should have no problem beating the Canucks tonight, my heart has loved this team since I was a kid, and I can tell you many tales of heartbreak about games that I personally believed that the Oilers should win. Sometimes you see a situation that feels like a sure thing — a mediocre team playing its third string goaltender on the second half of a back-to-back set — but the end result is a devastating loss that sends the Nation and social media into a fury. Kinda like last weekend&#8217;s <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2022/12/17/game-32-wrap-up-edmonton-oilers-embarrass-themselves-in-4-3-loss-to-anaheim-ducks/">loss to the Ducks</a>, ya know? <em>*spits*</em> And even though I absolutely loved the way the Oilers started this hockey game, seeing Collin Delia deny them on some grade-A chances in the first few minutes had me feeling like we were in for a turd under our metaphorical trees. But then, as if Santa was listening, the Oilers cashed in a pair of goals in the back half of the period, including a buzzer-beater by Connor McDavid, and all of a sudden the outcome didn&#8217;t seem so grim. The tricky party was going to be keeping the good vibes going.</p>
<p>With a two-goal lead in their pocket and 40 minutes to play, the Oilers needed to keep the pedal to the floor and shut the door on any kind of Canucks comeback attempt. As much as I don&#8217;t respect Vancouver as a franchise, I also understand that this is a team that came back three separate times last night against the Kraken and I&#8217;d rather that the Oilers not give them the chance to do it again. But just as I was writing that last sentence, J.T. Miller halved the lead with one of the weirdest bad luck goals that I&#8217;ve ever seen after his shot from the high slot popped up on Skinner and fell into the back of the net. Once that goal went in, I think we all knew that the Oilers were at risk. If Edmonton couldn&#8217;t find a way to respond in short order then it was almost like they were paving a path for the Canucks to walk themselves back into a tie game. And after the boys missed out on a handful of quality opportunities including multiple attempts with the man advantage, J.T. Miller converted on the power play at the other end and the game was knotted at two. All of a sudden, that familiar feeling of dread was creeping back into frame.</p>
<p>Heading into the third period, I was already feeling salty about the way the second period unfolded and the last thing any of us needed was for the Oilers to drop a game that was supposed to be a layup. Somehow they needed to channel their focus into what&#8217;s been working for them rather than how angering it would be if they blew it. Besides, the Canucks played last night so you&#8217;d have to think they&#8217;d run out of legs eventually, right? Right?! Yet, their gas just never seem to run out, and even though the Oilers continued to pepper their net with shots and chances, they just couldn&#8217;t put this game in the rearview mirror. And because they were getting goalie&#8217;d again, the Canucks were allowed to stick around in a game that should have been over for them in the first period. So when the visitors rattled off three more goals in the third period — five straight overall — I hate to say that I wasn&#8217;t even surprised. I mean, what else should we expect when the Edmonton Oilers are going up against a team that has a goaltender you&#8217;ve never heard of? Maybe this thing was a scheduled loss from the jump.</p>
<p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">The wrap.</span></p>
<h1>THE BRIGHT SIDE</h1>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-82260" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/christmas_vacation.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/christmas_vacation.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/christmas_vacation-300x169.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/christmas_vacation-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
<ul>
<li>Derek Ryan opened the scoring (1-0) with a deke to his forehand on a beautifully executed breakaway after Warren Foegele put him in alone with more than enough time to play a play.</li>
<li>Connor McDavid extended the lead (2-0) in the dying seconds of the first period after a beautiful passing play by Hyman and Draisaitl set him up for a tap-in into a wide-open net. It was a tic-tac-toe play that had the Canucks spinning and helpless. It was beautiful.</li>
<li>As we head into the Christmas break, I just want to say how much I love Klim Kostin. That trade rules so far and I don&#8217;t know how you can take him out of the lineup ever again. Thank you.</li>
<li>Brett Kulak had a really strong game defensively and was probably responsible for killing at least one or two goals against.</li>
<li>He had a quiet night, but I was very happy to see Ryan McLeod back in the lineup.</li>
<li>Amazingly, Ethan Bear didn&#8217;t score.</li>
<li>I can&#8217;t even enjoy the fact that the Oilers won 58% of the faceoffs.</li>
<li>Same goes for the rare 33-30 shot clock win.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="text-2xl font-bold"><strong>PRESENTED BY BETWAY</strong></h3>
<div class="mb-5"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-122158 size-full" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Betway-Article-Image.jpeg" alt="" width="740" height="222" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Betway-Article-Image.jpeg 740w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Betway-Article-Image-300x90.jpeg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /></div>
<h1>THE FACE PALMERS</h1>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-125635" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Christmas-Vacation-Finger-1024x593.png" alt="" width="836" height="484" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Christmas-Vacation-Finger-1024x593.png 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Christmas-Vacation-Finger-300x174.png 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Christmas-Vacation-Finger-768x445.png 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Christmas-Vacation-Finger-1536x889.png 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Christmas-Vacation-Finger.png 1558w" sizes="(max-width: 836px) 100vw, 836px" /></p>
<ul>
<li>Make this the fourth winnable game in the last week and change that the Oilers goofed on. Horrible.</li>
<li>JT Miller pulled the Canucks back to within a single goal (2-1) after his shot from the high slot hit Stuart Skinner in the shoulder, popped 10 feet up into the air, and fell softly over the goal line. That play couldn&#8217;t happen again if you tried it 100 times. Miller added a second goal at the end of the second period (2-2) on the power play after Petterssen set him up at the side of the net with a chance he wouldn&#8217;t miss.</li>
<li>Bo Horvat gave the Canucks their first lead of the night (3-2) after a shot off the backboards kicked right to him, leaving the backdoor open and Skinner unable to get across on time. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins lost had Horvat initially but lost him for a second, which was all the time he needed to cash in the chance.</li>
<li>I hate you, Collin Delia. I say that with all due respect. You get it.</li>
<li>Ilya Mikheyev sealed the deal with a goal late in the third period (4-2) after he took a pass in the high slot from Horvat and buried the shot past Skinner on the glove side.</li>
<li>The penalty kill continues to be the <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2022/12/23/happy-festivus-its-time-to-share-our-feats-of-strengths-and-air-out-our-grievances/">bane of my existence</a>. Vancouver cashed in on 1-of-2 of their opportunities with the man advantage and I am displeased once again.</li>
<li>I can&#8217;t believe I&#8217;m saying this but the Oilers&#8217; power play got shut out on three power play chances by the worst PK in the league and looked pretty awful while they were at it.</li>
<li>I thought Leon Draisaitl was not very good in this hockey game. Looked like he was already on the plane out of town tbh.</li>
<li>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a rough night defensively and it was a real bummer to see his line follow up a gem in Dallas with a stinker against the Canucks.</li>
<li>Stuart Skinner was back between the pipes for his 20th start of the season, and I was looking forward to watching him do his thing and try to lock in his 11th win of the season. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be for Stu as both he and his teammates just didn&#8217;t have their best stuff. That&#8217;s not to say that Skinner was bad or anything, but when you&#8217;ve got a save% in the .800s it&#8217;s fair to say that there was room for improvement. Skinner finished the game with 25 saves and a .862 save%.</li>
</ul>
<h1>SCORING SUMMARY</h1>
<div class="ResponsiveTable playByPlay__table playByPlay__table--summary">
<div class="flex">
<div class="Table__ScrollerWrapper relative overflow-hidden">
<div class="Table__Scroller">
<table class="Table Table--align-right">
<thead class="Table__THEAD">
<tr class="Table__TR Table__even">
<th class="tl Table__TH" title="" colspan="3">1ST PERIOD</th>
<th class="Table__TH" title="">CANUCKS</th>
<th class="Table__TH" title="">OILERS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody class="Table__TBODY">
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="0">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">9:42</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Edmonton</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">Derek Ryan</span><span class="fw-normal"> (5)</span></p>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Warren Foegele (3)</div>
</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away fw-normal Table__TD">0</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home Table__TD">1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="1">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">19:55</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Edmonton</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">Connor McDavid</span><span class="fw-normal"> (30)</span></p>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Zach Hyman (21), Leon Draisaitl (35)</div>
</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away fw-normal Table__TD">0</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home Table__TD">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="Table__Shadow--right"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="ResponsiveTable playByPlay__table playByPlay__table--summary">
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<div class="Table__ScrollerWrapper relative overflow-hidden">
<div class="Table__Scroller">
<table class="Table Table--align-right">
<colgroup class="Table__Colgroup">
<col class="Table__Column" />
<col class="Table__Column" />
<col class="Table__Column" />
<col class="Table__Column" />
<col class="Table__Column" /></colgroup>
<thead class="Table__THEAD">
<tr class="Table__TR Table__even">
<th class="tl Table__TH" title="" colspan="3">2ND PERIOD</th>
<th class="Table__TH" title="">CANUCKS</th>
<th class="Table__TH" title="">OILERS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody class="Table__TBODY">
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="0">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">0:41</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Vancouver</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">J.T. Miller</span><span class="fw-normal"> (12)</span></p>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Conor Garland (10), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (14)</div>
</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away Table__TD">1</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home fw-normal Table__TD">2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="1">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">18:33</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Vancouver</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">J.T. Miller</span><span class="fw-normal"> (13)</span><span class="fw-normal"> (Power Play)</span></p>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Elias Pettersson (25), Bo Horvat (10)</div>
</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away Table__TD">2</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home fw-normal Table__TD">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="ResponsiveTable playByPlay__table playByPlay__table--summary">
<div class="flex">
<div class="Table__ScrollerWrapper relative overflow-hidden">
<div class="Table__Shadow--left"></div>
<div class="Table__Scroller">
<table class="Table Table--align-right">
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<col class="Table__Column" />
<col class="Table__Column" />
<col class="Table__Column" />
<col class="Table__Column" />
<col class="Table__Column" /></colgroup>
<thead class="Table__THEAD">
<tr class="Table__TR Table__even">
<th class="tl Table__TH" title="" colspan="3">3RD PERIOD</th>
<th class="Table__TH" title="">CANUCKS</th>
<th class="Table__TH" title="">OILERS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody class="Table__TBODY">
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="0">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">12:25</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Vancouver</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">Bo Horvat</span><span class="fw-normal"> (23)</span></p>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Tyler Myers (7), Conor Garland (11)</div>
</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away Table__TD">3</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home fw-normal Table__TD">2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="1">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">17:19</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Vancouver</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">Ilya Mikheyev</span><span class="fw-normal"> (11)</span></p>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Bo Horvat (11)</div>
</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away Table__TD">4</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home fw-normal Table__TD">2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="2">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">19:19</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Vancouver</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">Bo Horvat</span><span class="fw-normal"> (24)</span><span class="fw-normal"> (Empty Net)</span></p>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Elias Pettersson (26), Tyler Myers (8)</div>
</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away Table__TD">5</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home fw-normal Table__TD">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<h1>#GOODCONTENT</h1>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">what prankster at production played an extra rogers wrapped in red event over the game bro</p>
<p>&mdash; Memeamoto (@KailerMemeamoto) <a href="https://twitter.com/KailerMemeamoto/status/1606475550046195713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">He was slowed by the drag of his facial hair.</p>
<p>&mdash; Festivus Kevin🇺🇦 (@sportsjunkie007) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportsjunkie007/status/1606489694694670336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If you&#39;re a 3rd string goalie in the NHL, pray you play the oilers. We will keep you in the league</p>
<p>&mdash; Luke Meyer (@LukeMeyer4) <a href="https://twitter.com/LukeMeyer4/status/1606507436482994176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">He was too busy thinking about his New Years Eve party tomorrow night</p>
<p>&mdash; William James (@William_J87) <a href="https://twitter.com/William_J87/status/1606506996811038720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><strong>Talk to me, Twitter. Hit me up at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a> and Wanye at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/oilersnation" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@Oilersnation</a> and you could find yourself landing in this very spot. </strong></p>
<h1><strong>BETTER LAIT THAN NEVER</strong></h1>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" frameborder="0" height="190px" src="https://embed.acast.com/62a771d5e42bfa00128395d4/63a507df4e50e40011ea2f7c" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<p>On the latest episode of Better Lait Than Never, I was talking all things Christmas and how happy I am that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could not be hotter right now. Merry Christmas, everybody!<strong> Subscribe to Better Lait Than Never for FREE on <a class="text-accent" href="https://t.co/mZJAMT9Woj" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spotify</a>, <a class="text-accent" href="https://t.co/uStl8rWDcT" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a class="text-accent" href="https://t.co/qhmoKorIuI" rel="noopener noreferrer">Google Podcasts</a>, and wherever else you get your podcasts from! </strong></p>


It happened again... Final Score: 5-2 Canucks

<em style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Welcome to our Oilers game day content presented by <a class="text-accent" href="https://betway.com/en/sports/grp/ice-hockey/north-america/nhl" rel="noopener noreferrer">NHL lines</a> site Betway!</em>

Even though my brain spent the day telling me that the Oilers should have no problem beating the Canucks tonight, my heart has loved this team since I was a kid, and I can tell you many tales of heartbreak about games that I personally believed that the Oilers should win. Sometimes you see a situation that feels like a sure thing — a mediocre team playing its third string goaltender on the second half of a back-to-back set — but the end result is a devastating loss that sends the Nation and social media into a fury. Kinda like last weekend's <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2022/12/17/game-32-wrap-up-edmonton-oilers-embarrass-themselves-in-4-3-loss-to-anaheim-ducks/">loss to the Ducks</a>, ya know? <em>*spits*</em> And even though I absolutely loved the way the Oilers started this hockey game, seeing Collin Delia deny them on some grade-A chances in the first few minutes had me feeling like we were in for a turd under our metaphorical trees. But then, as if Santa was listening, the Oilers cashed in a pair of goals in the back half of the period, including a buzzer-beater by Connor McDavid, and all of a sudden the outcome didn't seem so grim. The tricky party was going to be keeping the good vibes going.

With a two-goal lead in their pocket and 40 minutes to play, the Oilers needed to keep the pedal to the floor and shut the door on any kind of Canucks comeback attempt. As much as I don't respect Vancouver as a franchise, I also understand that this is a team that came back three separate times last night against the Kraken and I'd rather that the Oilers not give them the chance to do it again. But just as I was writing that last sentence, J.T. Miller halved the lead with one of the weirdest bad luck goals that I've ever seen after his shot from the high slot popped up on Skinner and fell into the back of the net. Once that goal went in, I think we all knew that the Oilers were at risk. If Edmonton couldn't find a way to respond in short order then it was almost like they were paving a path for the Canucks to walk themselves back into a tie game. And after the boys missed out on a handful of quality opportunities including multiple attempts with the man advantage, J.T. Miller converted on the power play at the other end and the game was knotted at two. All of a sudden, that familiar feeling of dread was creeping back into frame.

Heading into the third period, I was already feeling salty about the way the second period unfolded and the last thing any of us needed was for the Oilers to drop a game that was supposed to be a layup. Somehow they needed to channel their focus into what's been working for them rather than how angering it would be if they blew it. Besides, the Canucks played last night so you'd have to think they'd run out of legs eventually, right? Right?! Yet, their gas just never seem to run out, and even though the Oilers continued to pepper their net with shots and chances, they just couldn't put this game in the rearview mirror. And because they were getting goalie'd again, the Canucks were allowed to stick around in a game that should have been over for them in the first period. So when the visitors rattled off three more goals in the third period — five straight overall — I hate to say that I wasn't even surprised. I mean, what else should we expect when the Edmonton Oilers are going up against a team that has a goaltender you've never heard of? Maybe this thing was a scheduled loss from the jump.

<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">The wrap.</span>
<h1>THE BRIGHT SIDE</h1>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-82260" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/christmas_vacation.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />
<ul>
 	<li>Derek Ryan opened the scoring (1-0) with a deke to his forehand on a beautifully executed breakaway after Warren Foegele put him in alone with more than enough time to play a play.</li>
 	<li>Connor McDavid extended the lead (2-0) in the dying seconds of the first period after a beautiful passing play by Hyman and Draisaitl set him up for a tap-in into a wide-open net. It was a tic-tac-toe play that had the Canucks spinning and helpless. It was beautiful.</li>
 	<li>As we head into the Christmas break, I just want to say how much I love Klim Kostin. That trade rules so far and I don't know how you can take him out of the lineup ever again. Thank you.</li>
 	<li>Brett Kulak had a really strong game defensively and was probably responsible for killing at least one or two goals against.</li>
 	<li>He had a quiet night, but I was very happy to see Ryan McLeod back in the lineup.</li>
 	<li>Amazingly, Ethan Bear didn't score.</li>
 	<li>I can't even enjoy the fact that the Oilers won 58% of the faceoffs.</li>
 	<li>Same goes for the rare 33-30 shot clock win.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="text-2xl font-bold"><strong>PRESENTED BY BETWAY</strong></h3>
<div class="mb-5"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-122158 size-full" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Betway-Article-Image.jpeg" alt="" width="740" height="222" /></div>
<h1>THE FACE PALMERS</h1>
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-125635" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Christmas-Vacation-Finger-1024x593.png" alt="" width="836" height="484" />
<ul>
 	<li>Make this the fourth winnable game in the last week and change that the Oilers goofed on. Horrible.</li>
 	<li>JT Miller pulled the Canucks back to within a single goal (2-1) after his shot from the high slot hit Stuart Skinner in the shoulder, popped 10 feet up into the air, and fell softly over the goal line. That play couldn't happen again if you tried it 100 times. Miller added a second goal at the end of the second period (2-2) on the power play after Petterssen set him up at the side of the net with a chance he wouldn't miss.</li>
 	<li>Bo Horvat gave the Canucks their first lead of the night (3-2) after a shot off the backboards kicked right to him, leaving the backdoor open and Skinner unable to get across on time. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins lost had Horvat initially but lost him for a second, which was all the time he needed to cash in the chance.</li>
 	<li>I hate you, Collin Delia. I say that with all due respect. You get it.</li>
 	<li>Ilya Mikheyev sealed the deal with a goal late in the third period (4-2) after he took a pass in the high slot from Horvat and buried the shot past Skinner on the glove side.</li>
 	<li>The penalty kill continues to be the <a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2022/12/23/happy-festivus-its-time-to-share-our-feats-of-strengths-and-air-out-our-grievances/">bane of my existence</a>. Vancouver cashed in on 1-of-2 of their opportunities with the man advantage and I am displeased once again.</li>
 	<li>I can't believe I'm saying this but the Oilers' power play got shut out on three power play chances by the worst PK in the league and looked pretty awful while they were at it.</li>
 	<li>I thought Leon Draisaitl was not very good in this hockey game. Looked like he was already on the plane out of town tbh.</li>
 	<li>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had a rough night defensively and it was a real bummer to see his line follow up a gem in Dallas with a stinker against the Canucks.</li>
 	<li>Stuart Skinner was back between the pipes for his 20th start of the season, and I was looking forward to watching him do his thing and try to lock in his 11th win of the season. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be for Stu as both he and his teammates just didn't have their best stuff. That's not to say that Skinner was bad or anything, but when you've got a save% in the .800s it's fair to say that there was room for improvement. Skinner finished the game with 25 saves and a .862 save%.</li>
</ul>
<h1>SCORING SUMMARY</h1>
<div class="ResponsiveTable playByPlay__table playByPlay__table--summary">
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<div class="Table__ScrollerWrapper relative overflow-hidden">
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<table class="Table Table--align-right">
<thead class="Table__THEAD">
<tr class="Table__TR Table__even">
<th class="tl Table__TH" title="" colspan="3">1ST PERIOD</th>
<th class="Table__TH" title="">CANUCKS</th>
<th class="Table__TH" title="">OILERS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody class="Table__TBODY">
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="0">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">9:42</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Edmonton</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">Derek Ryan</span><span class="fw-normal"> (5)</span>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Warren Foegele (3)</div></td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away fw-normal Table__TD">0</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home Table__TD">1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="1">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">19:55</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Edmonton</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">Connor McDavid</span><span class="fw-normal"> (30)</span>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Zach Hyman (21), Leon Draisaitl (35)</div></td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away fw-normal Table__TD">0</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home Table__TD">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<div class="Table__Shadow--right"></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="ResponsiveTable playByPlay__table playByPlay__table--summary">
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<div class="Table__ScrollerWrapper relative overflow-hidden">
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<table class="Table Table--align-right"><colgroup class="Table__Colgroup"> <col class="Table__Column" /> <col class="Table__Column" /> <col class="Table__Column" /> <col class="Table__Column" /> <col class="Table__Column" /></colgroup>
<thead class="Table__THEAD">
<tr class="Table__TR Table__even">
<th class="tl Table__TH" title="" colspan="3">2ND PERIOD</th>
<th class="Table__TH" title="">CANUCKS</th>
<th class="Table__TH" title="">OILERS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody class="Table__TBODY">
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="0">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">0:41</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Vancouver</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">J.T. Miller</span><span class="fw-normal"> (12)</span>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Conor Garland (10), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (14)</div></td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away Table__TD">1</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home fw-normal Table__TD">2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="1">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">18:33</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Vancouver</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">J.T. Miller</span><span class="fw-normal"> (13)</span><span class="fw-normal"> (Power Play)</span>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Elias Pettersson (25), Bo Horvat (10)</div></td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away Table__TD">2</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home fw-normal Table__TD">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="ResponsiveTable playByPlay__table playByPlay__table--summary">
<div class="flex">
<div class="Table__ScrollerWrapper relative overflow-hidden">
<div class="Table__Shadow--left"></div>
<div class="Table__Scroller">
<table class="Table Table--align-right"><colgroup class="Table__Colgroup"> <col class="Table__Column" /> <col class="Table__Column" /> <col class="Table__Column" /> <col class="Table__Column" /> <col class="Table__Column" /></colgroup>
<thead class="Table__THEAD">
<tr class="Table__TR Table__even">
<th class="tl Table__TH" title="" colspan="3">3RD PERIOD</th>
<th class="Table__TH" title="">CANUCKS</th>
<th class="Table__TH" title="">OILERS</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody class="Table__TBODY">
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="0">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">12:25</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Vancouver</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">Bo Horvat</span><span class="fw-normal"> (23)</span>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Tyler Myers (7), Conor Garland (11)</div></td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away Table__TD">3</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home fw-normal Table__TD">2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="1">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">17:19</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Vancouver</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">Ilya Mikheyev</span><span class="fw-normal"> (11)</span>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Bo Horvat (11)</div></td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away Table__TD">4</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home fw-normal Table__TD">2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="playByPlay__tableRow fw-bold Table__TR Table__TR--sm Table__even" data-idx="2">
<td class="playByPlay__time Table__TD">19:19</td>
<td class="playByPlay__logo Table__TD">Vancouver</td>
<td class="playByPlay__text tl Table__TD"><span class="fw-bold">Bo Horvat</span><span class="fw-normal"> (24)</span><span class="fw-normal"> (Empty Net)</span>
<div class="playByPlay__text--assists fw-normal">Assists: Elias Pettersson (26), Tyler Myers (8)</div></td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--away Table__TD">5</td>
<td class="playByPlay__score tr playByPlay__score--home fw-normal Table__TD">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<h1>#GOODCONTENT</h1>
https://twitter.com/KailerMemeamoto/status/1606475550046195713

https://twitter.com/sportsjunkie007/status/1606489694694670336

https://twitter.com/LukeMeyer4/status/1606507436482994176

https://twitter.com/William_J87/status/1606506996811038720

<strong>Talk to me, Twitter. Hit me up at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a> and Wanye at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/oilersnation" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@Oilersnation</a> and you could find yourself landing in this very spot. </strong>
<h1><strong>BETTER LAIT THAN NEVER</strong></h1>
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On the latest episode of Better Lait Than Never, I was talking all things Christmas and how happy I am that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could not be hotter right now. Merry Christmas, everybody!<strong> Subscribe to Better Lait Than Never for FREE on <a class="text-accent" href="https://t.co/mZJAMT9Woj" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spotify</a>, <a class="text-accent" href="https://t.co/uStl8rWDcT" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a class="text-accent" href="https://t.co/qhmoKorIuI" rel="noopener noreferrer">Google Podcasts</a>, and wherever else you get your podcasts from! </strong>

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