Nikita Zadorov on the playoff hype surrounding all-Canadian matchup
The Vancouver Canucks will finally meet the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a much-anticipated all-Canadian matchup. Arturs Silovs have once again been confirmed to be the Canucks' starting goaltender for Game 1, taking place on Wednesday night at Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
The Canucks acquired defenseman Nikita Zadorov from their fellow Canadian Pacific Division club Calgary Flames earlier this season. He has become a bruising presence on the team's bolstered blue line.
Having a multitude of experience playing NHL games in Canada given his career's trajectory, Zadorov was quick to point out the enthusiastic playoff atmosphere of the country in his pregame presser.
� Nikita Zadorov, Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks will attempt to take down Connor McDavid's Oilers in their first playoff action past the first round since 2020, also hoping for starting goaltender Thatcher Demko to return at some point later in the series.
Zadorov and company will have a tall task at hand in attempting to neutralize some of the league's top offensive threats such as McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman among others.
| POLL | ||
Who will take Game 1 of their all-Canadian playoff matchup? | ||
| Vancouver | 665 | 93 % |
| Edmonton | 50 | 7 % |
| List of polls | ||
