Canucks remain winless in 2026 pre-season after 2–1 loss to Oilers; Buium, Karlsson and Schenn stand out

The Story

The Vancouver Canucks were handed a 2–1 loss by the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night, extending their winless run in the 2026 pre-season. The game featured a young Oilers lineup missing the majority of their projected NHL roster, while Vancouver put 14 of 18 skaters in their lineup into their first pre-season game experience.

Zeev Buium was one of the most impactful Canucks players in the contest, contributing at both ends of the rink as the team tried to shake off off-season rust. Offensively, he fired a shot that set up Vancouver’s lone goal: his attempt on Edmonton goaltender Tristan Jarry was the key touch that allowed Linus Karlsson to tap the puck in. Defensively, Buium also helped prevent danger by tying up Aku Räty to neutralize a potential breakaway threat in the defensive zone.

Buium’s overall two-way involvement was reflected in his minutes and special-teams usage. He recorded the highest time on ice on the Canucks at 25:05, and he moved onto Vancouver’s first power-play unit after beginning the game on the second unit. Beyond the assist on Karlsson’s goal, the defenceman’s responsibility on the night suggested he was quickly settling into high-leverage situations as pre-season roles take shape.

Linus Karlsson scored Vancouver’s only goal and did it in the spot that has become his signature in front of the net. During the Canucks’ second-unit power-play time, he positioned himself around the opponent’s crease, staying close to Jarry and working to be available for the puck when the play became stationary in the Oilers’ zone.

Even when Vancouver was not on a man advantage, Karlsson’s presence remained evident through puck support and effort along the forecheck. The forward also contributed to the work in the trenches by winning board battles. In addition to his goal, Karlsson registered four shots on net, and his 18 minutes of playing time ranked fifth among Canucks forwards and seventh among all Vancouver skaters.

Luke Schenn returned to the Canucks’ home crowd as part of his third stint with the organization. The defenceman’s Thursday night appearance marked his first time donning Vancouver’s uniform in front of the home crowd since February 18, 2023, with the pre-season game serving as his 2026 Canucks debut.

In his return, Schenn played alongside Jamie Oleksiak and contributed with the sort of tangible defensive actions that show up on the stat sheet. He recorded three hits and blocked one shot during his time on the ice.

One sequence captured the difference between Schenn’s usual defensive positioning and his willingness to jump into the play when Vancouver had the puck. At one point, he moved up into the offensive rush deep into Edmonton’s end near the Oilers’ crease, illustrating an effort level that—according to the game description—stood out in this pre-season outing.

For Vancouver, the practical significance of the loss is less about the final score than the broader message it sends as the pre-season progresses. With 14 of 18 skaters in Thursday’s lineup making their first pre-season appearance, the game also served as an early benchmark for who can translate practice habits into consistent decision-making, especially under the tempo and structure imposed by a young Oilers group missing most of their expected NHL roster.

The Canucks will continue to search for their first win of the 2026 pre-season after falling short 2–1, but the standout performances from Buium’s two-way contribution, Karlsson’s crease-area scoring, and Schenn’s physical presence provide a clearer picture of the roles Vancouver can lean on as games progress.

Thursday’s results also underscored the pre-season environment in which opportunities can arrive quickly. With shifts in special-teams assignments—such as Buium moving to the first power-play unit after starting on the second—the game highlighted how quickly players can separate themselves as coaching staffs evaluate readiness and fit before the regular season begins.