Latest news with #ViktorArvidsson
CTV News
a day ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Depth shines in Oilers' Stanley Cup Game 1 win
Edmonton Oilers' Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrates a goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The depth of the Edmonton Oilers showed through as Game 1 wore on Wednesday night. Kasperi Kapanen, a waiver wire pickup by general manager Stan Bowman in November, nearly stole the show when he almost scored on an overtime breakaway. He gets two assists while playing among the team's top six forwards on a line with Leon Draisaitl and Evander Kane. Highlight reel stuff, that split-the-defence-for-a-scoring-chance-alone move usually reserved for the likes of National Hockey League stars such as Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon. But the depth contributions to the Oilers' 4-3 OT win over the Florida Panthers Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final were also front-and-centre in the form of the fourth line, sometimes known as a team's 'energy line.' On Wednesday night, they were energetic alright. Electrifying might be a better way to describe the trio of centre Mattias Janmark and wingers Viktor Arvidsson and Vasily Podkolzin. They provided a blend of speed, toughness and savvy that the Panthers didn't have much of an answer for as the clock ticked away. Arvidsson, the Swedish winger who the Oilers signed as a free agent last summer, told media Thursday morning he thinks he and his linemates 'play a straight line game and not too fancy.' Oilers vs. Panthers Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett (9) checks Edmonton Oilers' Viktor Arvidsson (33) during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (JASON FRANSON/THE CANADIAN PRESS) Well, OK. But they sure kept the Panthers guessing at times, and their chances came from the hard work trying to win puck battles and from being aggressive on the forecheck, taking a page out of Florida's own playbook. 'That fits into all three of us, and we can read off each other well there,' said Arvidsson, who scored the Oilers' second goal early in the second period as the team started to claw back down 3-1 after a Sam Bennett goal just 1:17 earlier. 'I think (Janmark) is a really smart player and unappreciated in that way. Pods is the hard worker, plays the body hard and fits well.' As has been a mantra of the Oilers not just this post-season but since the puck dropped on the 2024-25 campaign in October, captain McDavid said Wednesday night after the game 'it takes everyone' to win in the NHL. Oilers vs. Panthers Florida Panthers' Seth Jones (3) and Edmonton Oilers' Vasily Podkolzin (92) battle for the puck during the second period in Game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (JASON FRANSON/THE CANADIAN PRESS) They've come to know that, particularly this season, after years of relying on McDavid and Draisaitl to provide most of the Oilers' playoff scoring. Sure, the dynamic duo are nos. 1 and 2 in league post-season scoring, McDavid with 28 points and Draisaitl with 27. But Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have 18 each in a tie for fourth, the now-injured Zach Hyman has 11 as does Evander Kane and Corey Perry. Connor Brown has eight points. Podkolzin has seven, Arvidsson six and Janmark four. It's taken everyone, indeed. One game into this year's Cup final, seven players have reached double digits in points. The playoff scoring drop-off from McDavid, Draisaitl and Bouchard was steeper just last season, when six players scored 10 points or more. Oilers vs. Panthers Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (19) is checked by Edmonton Oilers' Mattias Janmark (13) during the first period in Game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (JASON FRANSON/THE CANADIAN PRESS) 'I thought the whole Janmark line was dangerous all night,' McDavid told media at the podium. 'They were a big difference maker. Especially in overtime, I thought they were the only line that was generating. Arvie was a big goal. Pods makes a great play, Janmark is doing what he does.' Head coach Kris Knoblauch said the trials of the team late in the season with a spate of injuries to top players -- including McDavid, Draisaitl, winger Trent Frederic and defenceman Mattias Ekholm, not to mention Kane's season-long recovery from surgery before his debut in the second game of the playoffs -- actually helped him and his staff sort out who meshed best heading into the playoffs and into the first round against the Los Angeles Kings. 'It was good for us in the long run because I probably wouldn't have understood or knew how good that line of Podkolzin, Janmark and Arvidsson was,' he said of the April stretch on injuries while also pointing out the contributions of Brown. 'Other guys had to step up ... (Knowing) exactly where the pieces all fit (didn't come) until somewhere in the later half of the L.A. series.' Throughout the post-season, Knoblauch has emphasized rolling all four lines as much as possible, something that's not lost on Arvidsson. 'That's been the whole playoff run,' Arvidsson said. 'We have been relying on all four lines and all three 'D' pairs, so I think that's been a huge contribution to our success. 'I think we've just got to keep doing that.'
Reuters
5 days ago
- General
- Reuters
Oilers F Connor Brown available for Game 1 vs. Panthers
June 2 - Edmonton forward Connor Brown, who has been sidelined by an undisclosed injury, practiced on Sunday and will be available when the Oilers play the visiting Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday. Brown, 31, missed the final two games of the Oilers' five-game series against the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference finals, which concluded last Thursday. He exited Game 3 in the second period on May 25 after a thunderous hit from Stars defenseman Alex Petrovic that sent him to the ice. I feel good," Brown said after Sunday's session. "Nice to get a practice in with the team. Obviously, I haven't been practicing much. It's nice to get it going. I'm excited." Brown has eight points (five goals, three assists) in 14 playoff games. He totaled 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) and a plus-9 rating while playing in all 82 games during the regular season. His spot on the third line has been filled by Viktor Arvidsson at right wing with center Adam Henrique and left wing Evander Kane. The Oilers are without forward Zach Hyman, who had surgery after sustaining an upper-body injury in Game 4 against the Stars. "I've got no idea what the line combinations are," said Brown, who skated with the fifth line on Sunday. "Obviously, I'm not trying to put my coaching hat on or anything like that. It's just my job to be ready to go." "I think he will be fine," Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said. "Obviously, you saw him on the ice and double shifting, and I'm pretty sure and confident that he will be fine for Game 1." --Field Level Media
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
McDavid leaves practice early, but fan favourite winger ready to play Game 1
This in from the Edmonton Oilers practice, news that fan favourite Connor Brown is back on the ice to practice with the team today, but that team captain Connor McDavid left the ice early. TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported, 'McDavid had a word with training staff and left practice early today. Rest of the group still out there.' And Brenden Escott, host of Inside Sports on 880 radio, reports: 'Brown confirms he's ready to return for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.' Edmonton sport radio host Reid Wilkins reported, 'Knoblauch says he's confident Connor Brown will be fine for Game 1.' Escott also gave an update on McDavid, that he'll be ready to play Game 1. 'Kris Knoblauch says McDavid will be ready for Game 1 after he left practice early today. 'No issues.'' Rishaug reported something similar: 'Knoblauch said no major issue, McDavid will be good to go for game one.' Tony Brar of Oilers TV reported the lines and pairings: EDM lines & pairings – Sunday practice: RNH – McDavid – Perry Kane – Draisaitl – Kapanen Skinner – Henrique – Frederic Podkolzin – Janmark – Arvidsson • Brown, Ryan, Jones Ekholm – Bouchard Nurse – Kulak Walman – Klingberg • Stecher, Emberson Skinner Pickard 1. Brown, a major fan favourite in Edmonton due to his endless hustle and excellent attitude, was already playing injured when big Dallas d-man Alex Petrovic drilled him with a shoulder to the head, knocking him out for two games. Brown was replaced by strong two-way forward Viktor Arvidsson in the line-up. In the subsequent game, Zach Hyman was knocked out with an arm/wrist injury, forcing him to get surgery. 2. Good to hear the update on McDavid, as it is disconcerting news for him to leave practice. McD certainly was flying fast on Thursday in Edmonton's win over Dallas. Likely this is nothing much, or 'no issues,' as the coach puts it. At the same time, this is the playoffs and this is the secretive Oilers, so we'll never really know what's up with a player's health status. Given that opposing players target injuries — seen when Evan Bouchard slashed Roope Hintz's injured foot in the Dallas series — can anyone blame NHL teams for keeping all such injury news as quiet as possible? But, again, this sounds like nothing much with McDavid. 3. Brown has five goals and three assists in 14 playoff games this year. With Hyman out, he may end up playing a major role in Edmonton's Top 6. Kasperi Kapanen and Vasily Podkolzin have done well in terms of two-way play as well, giving the Oil options. But Hyman was killing it this playoff season. He'll be missed immensely. 4. With Brown likely in for Game 1, I suspect that Jeff Skinner comes out. This will upset some fans who greatly value Skinner's skill, but it will be the right call. Against Florida the Oilers need the hitting and muscle of Kapanen, Podkolzin and Trent Frederic, who played his best game of an iffy 2025 playoffs for him in Game 5 against Dallas. Perhaps Frederic is finally starting to hit his stride after being out with an ankle injury. More to come…
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘Fiesty' Oilers winger Viktor Arvidsson to play Game 4 for injured Connor Brown
Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Noah Hanifin (15) is checked by Oilers winger Viktor Arvidsson (33) during second period NHL playoff action in Edmonton on Saturday, May 10, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
National Post
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Viktor Arvidsson back in the lineup for Edmonton Oilers with Brown out
Poor play in the playoffs can be a professional death sentence when you're on about as deep a roster as the Edmonton Oilers have seen in decades. Article content Article content Play bad, and there is someone in a suit watching from up in the press box who is only too happy to take your spot in the lineup. When a team is on a roll during the most important part of the calendar, every moving part has to be contributing efficiently. Article content The thing is, even playing well doesn't automatically lead to inclusion. Article content Just ask Viktor Arvidsson. Article content An injury to Connor Brown in Game 3 of the Western Conference final on Sunday, compliments of a high body check from Dallas Stars defenceman Alex Petrovic, paved the way for Arvidsson to return to the lineup for the first time since Game 3 of the second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights. Article content Up to that point, the Swedish product had four points (one goal, three assists) in nine playoff games. Not exactly invisible. Article content Nevertheless, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch decided to make a change to his lineup, and Arvidsson found himself the odd man out. Article content Hard to argue, since Kasperi Kapanen came up with the series-clinching goal in overtime to cash out Vegas two games later. Article content But that still didn't mean it was an easy decision. Article content 'I don't want to take anybody out, it's a tough situation,' Knoblauch said. 'We mixed up our forwards and took out Arvidsson, and Arvidsson had been playing pretty well. Article content Article content 'We felt that our team needed something at that moment, and unfortunately he had to be the guy. Not that there had been anything against his game, it was just a change.' Article content Article content Prior to the change, Arvidsson was part of an energetic line alongside centre Mattias Janmark and Vasily Podkolzin. Article content 'I expect him to pick up where he left off,' Knoblauch said. 'The lines won't be exactly the same, but when he left, Podkolzin, himself and Janmark played really well and I think they scored four really important goals in a six-game span. Article content 'I think in his game, he adds speed. I think this time of the year, physicality, he's not afraid of getting involved in the play. He's smaller, but he definitely is feisty.' Article content Arvidsson was in the lineup for the entire opening-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, a team he spent three seasons with prior to joining Edmonton as a free agent and earning 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) in 67 regular-season games this year.
