Edmonton Oilers set to battle Vancouver in Round 2 of NHL Playoffs

The second round of the NHL playoffs will feature an all-Canadian matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers.

The Canucks eliminated the Nashville Predators with a 1-0 victory in Game 6 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Friday.

“Generally speaking, super skilled hockey team,” Vancouver defenseman Ian Cole said of Edmonton. “Very, very dangerous. They have guys that have tons of skill, tons of experience. A guy like Corey Perry, who’s leading I think active players in playoff games played (201). So they have a really nice mix of players on their team that are good, quality hockey players.

“So it’s going to be a challenge. Especially when you have those two guys in [Connor] McDavid and [Leon] Draisaitl. They’re difference makers every time they’re on the ice, so we’re going to have work cut out for us, but it should be fun.”

The Oilers, the No. 2 seed from the Pacific Division, will begin the best-of-7 series on the road against the Canucks, the No. 1 seed from the Pacific.

McDavid led the Oilers in the first round with 12 points (one goal, 11 assists), and Draisaitl had 10 points (five goals, five assists). Zach Hyman had seven goals. Stuart Skinner started all five games, going 4-1 with a 2.59 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.

“I mean, obviously the key factor is McDavid, and you know what he’s going to be able to do,” Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes said. “We’ll enjoy what we did tonight and then look at it tomorrow and the next day.”

Edmonton and Vancouver have faced each other twice in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Oilers winning both times, most recently a six-game victory in the 1992 Smythe Division Finals.

Game 1 is set go Wednesday night at 8 in Vancouver