Connor Murphy mocks Brendan Gallagher in bizarre Oilers-Canucks penalty box moment

Connor Murphy found an unusual way to get under an opponent's skin on Saturday night.

During a scrum in front of the benches at Rogers Place that then led to the penalty box, the Oilers defenseman was seen imitating Vancouver winger Brendan Gallagher, according to a post that spread quickly among fans.

What the viral clip shows is Murphy picking a target who rarely backs down.

Gallagher spent his first 14 NHL seasons in Montreal building a reputation as one of the league's most persistent pests.

He landed in Vancouver in a June trade, with the Canadiens retaining half his salary.

The timing adds a layer. Gallagher is still looking for his first goal of the season, with two assists through 15 games, so the impression landed on a veteran who has not yet found his footing with his new team.

Edmonton won 4-2, and the game was tighter than the final score suggests.

It was tied 1-1 entering the third period.

Brock Boeser pulled Vancouver within a goal at 17:25 with a deflection, but Leon Draisaitl sealed it into an empty net with 45 seconds left.

Draisaitl finished with two goals and an assist, and Connor McDavid added three assists.

The win snapped a two-game skid for the Oilers, who are now 12-3-3.

They have been close to flawless when they score first, going 10-0-2 in those games.

Edmonton hosts the Rangers on Monday, and the Canucks host the Flyers the same day.

Chirping rarely changes a result, but moments like this are part of what makes a game memorable beyond the scoresheet, especially when it involves a player as polarizing as Gallagher.

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