Canucks Win Game 5 vs. Oilers as NHL Fans Hail J.T. Miller’s Game-Winning Goal

Julia StumbaughMay 17, 2024

Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images

J.T. Miller scored with just over 30 seconds remaining in regulation to put the Vancouver Canucks ahead in a critical Friday night Game 5.

Miller’s last-minute tally sealed the Canucks’ 3-2 win and put the Edmonton Oilers on the brink of elimination from the Western Conference semifinals.

The Canucks lead the series 3-2.

B/R Open Ice @BR_OpenIceTHE CANUCKS TAKE THE LEAD WITH 31.9 SECONDS LEFT 🤯

WILD SCENE IN VANCOUVER 😱 pic.twitter.com/x5JvEeA9jq

The game-winner represented redemption for Miller, who was on the ice when Evan Bouchard scored a similar last-minute goal to put the Oilers ahead in Game 4 with 38.1 seconds left on the clock.

Miller took the blame for that loss in a text to Rick Tocchet, the Canucks’ head coach said after Game 4.

J.D. Burke @JDylanBurkeGod, what a story… from texting your coach to apologize for a blown coverage and a goal against late in Game 4 to scoring the game-winner with barely 30 seconds left in Game 5.

Take a bow, JT Miller

Nick @NickAndradeJT Miller was furious with himself in the game winner last game with 30 seconds left so he scored a game winner with 30 seconds left in the next one 😂 Ice in his veins.

Wyatt Arndt @TheStanchionJT Miller revenge game

Pete Edwards @pete_gasCanucks best game of the series and JT Miller makes sure that it doesn’t go to waste

Miller scored on a rebound caused by Elias Pettersson’s netfront presence, which was a factor throughout Friday night’s game.

Adam Kierszenblat @AdamkblatWhat a game from Elias Pettersson. Stepped up all night and plays a major role in the game winner. Hopefully, this is the start of an incredible run from EP40

Cam Robinson @Hockey_RobinsonJust a single assist tonight, but BY FAR the best game of the post season for Elias Pettersson.

Pace, confidence, creativity.

Andrew⚡️ @813DrewElias Pettersson deserved that assist he has been sensational tonight EASILY his best game of these playoffs when the Canucks needed him most

Canucks netminder Arturs Silovs meanwhile finished the night having turned aside 21 of 23 Oilers shots.

Silovs, who entered the postseason as Vancouver’s third-string goaltender, was playing in just his 17th NHL game.

actively a t-wolves fan Conner wherman @ConnerWhermanSilovs is such a cool story. Nucks are in a pretty good spot with their goaltending situation.

JABO Vancouver @jabo_vancouver5 for 5 on the PK. They made adjustments, they were aggressive at the right moments and Šilovs was there when he needed to be. #Canucks

Edmonton stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl failed to score on a combined four shots.

McDavid, who was on the ice for Miller’s game-winner, was held off the scoresheet all together for the second time in three games.

Sportsnet Stats @SNstatsConnor McDavid’s 1 point is his fewest in a 3-game span in the postseason since Games 2-4 of the Oilers 2017 1st round series vs the Sharks

After Life @AFT3RXLIF3You can tell when McDavid wants to take over a game. He has big wind ups in his own zone during breakouts and is constantly tapping for the puck. I didn’t see any of that tonight.

Mike Bartner @MikeBartnerMcDavid has 1 assists combined in Games 3-5, just straight up unacceptable. Can beat up on the LA Kings every year to make the stats look good but he needs a game 6 takeover.

Miller, Pettersson, Silov and the rest of the Canucks will now get a chance to punch their ticket to the conference finals for the first time since 2011 with a win in Game 6 Saturday night. The puck will drop in Edmonton at 8 p.m. ET.