Edmonton Oilers suffered a 4-1 loss to Vancouver Canucks (Photo Source: Imagn)

The Edmonton Oilers wrapped up their preseason last night with a 4-1 loss against the Vancouver Canucks. The defeat drops Edmonton’s preseason record to 3-5-0 as they now look ahead to the start of the regular season.

Following the loss, Oilers fans posted their reactions on social media and expressed their concerns heading into opening night.

“Trade for Jeremy Swayman before it’s too late,” one fan commented.

Swayman is embroiled in contentious contract negotiations with Boston, leading some to speculate he could be traded if no deal is reached.

“The Oilers are definitely not ready for game 1 if this final dress rehearsal is any indication,” another fan noted.

There are many other reactions to the defeat online.

“Just giving the Canuck fans hope in games that don’t matter before we eliminate them yet again lol,” one fan wrote on X.

“I’ll say it again, preseason. Means nothing. Last year, we won all our preseason games and how did we start? This year, I’ll gladly trade less effort and energy expended in exhibition games for a good start to the regular season. Not worried at all:) See you all Wednesday!!,” another fan wrote.

“The amount of players looking disinterested tonight is concerning, even for preseason,” a user commented.

“Ugly. Nothing has changed for Oilers. Can’t score and can’t make a save,” another user wrote.

The Oilers next face the Winnipeg Jets in their regular-season opener on Wednesday.

Oilers HC Kris Knoblauch on 4-1 loss to Canucks

Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch commented on his team’s loss, acknowledging the difficulty in ramping up intensity for exhibition games after coming off a deep playoff run last season.

“I know it’s a big change going from playing in a Stanley Cup Final Game Seven to exhibition, and I think guys’ hearts are in it, but it’s just not quite the same, understandably,” Knoblauch said postgame. “But now, we’re hitting the regular season, and we need to pick it up.”

The Oilers fell behind 2-0 in the first two periods on goals by Quinn Hughes and Carson Soucy before Arshdeep Bains extended the Canucks’ lead to 3-0 in the second. Evan Bouchard responded for Edmonton to cut the deficit to 3-1, but the Oilers were unable to get any closer.

Vancouver sealed the 4-1 victory with an empty-netter from Jake DeBrusk in the final two minutes.

Oilers’ Stuart Skinner stopped 22 of 26 shots, while Arthur Silovs stopped 28 shots for Canucks.