Cotter's OT winner lifts Canucks past Oilers in 6-5 thriller

In a dramatic season-opening clash at Rogers Place, the Vancouver Canucks edged the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 after overtime, with Paul Cotter delivering the winner 1:59 into the extra period. The Canucks built a 5-2 lead in the third after a three-goal surge, but Vasily Podkolzin and Evan Bouchard sparked a comeback, tying the game with seconds left. Cotter, who joined Vancouver as a free agent, became the first Canuck to score a short-handed goal in his debut.

Kevin Lankinen stopped 32 shots for Vancouver, while Tristan Jarry managed only 17 for Edmonton. Bouchard recorded three goals and two assists, marking the first multi-goal game by an Oilers defenseman in a season opener and joining a rare group of blueliners with a four-point debut. Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the game, and the teams will meet again in Vancouver on Thursday.