The Vancouver Canucks beat the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 in overtime on September 29 in a wild season opener at Rogers Place.

Paul Cotter scored twice, including the winner at 1:59 of overtime. Cotter became only the second player in NHL history, after Brendan Shanahan in 2001, to score a shorthanded goal and an overtime winner in a season opener.

The win was the first for Manny Malhotra as an NHL head coach. Edmonton captain Connor McDavid had a hat trick and two assists, but the Oilers could not hold off Vancouver's comeback.

The game featured 11 goals and late drama as both teams traded leads. Vancouver's fans will remember the opener as a promising start, while Edmonton looks to tighten its defence ahead of a long season.

Malhotra praised his team's fighting spirit after the game. The Canucks will look to carry the momentum into their next outing later this week. Edmonton's coach said the team must clean up its defensive mistakes before the next game.