Oilers use shootout to edge Canucks

EDMONTON — Even with star forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl resting for the playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers were able to close out the regular season on a high note.

Devin Shore was the lone player to score in a shootout session that went 10 players as the Oilers managed to capture a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday.

Brett Kulak and Tyson Barrie also scored for the Oilers (49-27-6) who set a new franchise record for consecutive games with a point at home, going 14-0-1 in their last 15 appearances at Rogers Place. Edmonton, which will face the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the playoffs, has also won seven of its last eight overall.

“The way we have been playing over the last little while, even the last two-and-a-half months, it is all building towards what we are going to be stepping into (with the playoffs) on Monday,” Barrie said. “I think we are in a good position, we are a confident group and we know what is expected of us and what our systems are. We are just ready and excited to execute it.

“I’ve been there a bunch of times, but I have never been this excited to get into the post-season.

“I think we have a real shot at it this year and I can't wait 'til Monday.”

Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft, who has a 26-9-3 record since taking the job, is looking forward to the regular pace of playoffs after a hectic last few months.

“It's been a sprint,” he said. “For me, personally, coming up in the middle of February, it feels like the schedule has felt relentless, but we've felt comfort in the rhythm of that. I do like where our team is at."

J.T. Miller and Conor Garland responded for the Canucks (40-30-12) who ended their campaign with losses in four of their last six, after missing