Podkolzin Shines Bright: A Canadian Journalists Perspective on His Impact in the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Canadian journalist **Sean Panganioban** shared his thoughts on the performance of Russian forward **Vasily Podkolzin** of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2025 Stanley Cup.

As the dust settles following the Oilers’ second consecutive loss in the Stanley Cup Finals, it’s clear that looking back reveals both positives, among which is Podkolzin’s contribution during the playoffs, particularly in the finals.

Throughout the playoffs, the 23-year-old forward displayed remarkable physical prowess. Whenever the «Moscow powerhouse» executed a body check, it often felt less about securing the puck and more about punishing the opponent. Furthermore, as we think about the Oilers’ prospects in the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals, Podkolzin will undoubtedly be among the first players to come to mind.

Given Podkolzin’s impressive playoff performance, he emerged as a bright spot for the team and a promising sign for future success, showcasing that he was well-suited for postseason hockey during his first Stanley Cup run.

I frequently praised the subtle yet intelligent maneuvers of Podkolzin. Following the Oilers’ solid victory in Game One of the Finals, I sensed he was an unsung hero, as his contributions significantly helped set up a goal for Viktor Arvidsson. Podkolzin carried the puck down the ice, entered the zone, passed it to his line mate, and then positioned himself perfectly in front of Bobrovsky to screen the goalie, allowing Arvidsson to score. This kind of quiet play often goes unnoticed but is crucial, just as he demonstrated consistently throughout the season.

Another telling aspect is the trust he has earned from the coaching staff. While other forwards with more NHL experience, like Jeff Skinner, Kasperi Kapanen, and Viktor Arvidsson, fluctuated in and out of the lineup during the playoffs, questions about Podkolzin’s inclusion were rarely raised, as he played in all 22 playoff games, **Panganioban wrote for [Oilers Nation](https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-reportedly-working-on-contracts-corey-perry-connor-brown).**

In the 22 matches of the 2025 Stanley Cup, Podkolzin tallied 10 points (3 goals and 7 assists), with five of those assists resulting in goals, finishing the playoffs with a plus-minus rating of +7.