J.T. Miller won’t need to do any apologizing tonight.
The emotional leader of the Vancouver Canucks scored with just over 30 seconds left in the third period to give the Canucks a massive victory over the Edmonton Oilers Thursday night.
The Canucks now lead their second round series against the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 as the series now shifts back to Edmonton for game 6 Saturday evening.
JT MILLER SCORES THE GO-AHEAD GOAL WITH LESS THAN A MINUTE LEFT! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/2zjtNLRIvn
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 17, 2024
“I’m just glad we didn’t have to go to overtime,” said Miller postgame.
“I thought we deserved to win the game today.”
Vancouver outshot Edmonton 35-23 and controlled much of the action in game 5. The Canucks penalty kill was stellar as Edmonton went 0-5 on the man advantage.
Rock Tocchet was critical of his team after game 4, and it appears his message was heard loud and clear.
“I thought the guys were terrific tonight. They really came to play. One of our best games of the playoff,” said Tocchet after the game.
Elias Pettersson has been struggling mightily throughout the playoffs and the Canucks superstar responded in a big way. On the winning goal, Pettersson redirected a shot from Lindholm with his skate that hit the post before Miller put it past Pickard.
Pettersson talked about the encouragement he received from Canucks fans throughout the game.
“It means lots. It was encouraging to have the fans behind you…Just to hear them chant my name, makes me want to work even harder for them,” said Pettersson post game.
Carson Soucy and new dad Phil Di Giuseppe scored the other two Canucks goals earlier in the game to help push the Oilers to the brink of elimination.
The Canucks can eliminate the Oilers and advance to the Western Conference Finals in game 6 Saturday at Rogers Place in Edmonton. Puck drop is scheduled for 5pm PST.