The Edmonton Oilers 2023-2024 schedule has been released. This is one of the first signs that the NHL season is fast approaching. The schedule includes 8 pre-season games and 82 regular-season games. Why do the Edmonton Oilers have so many pre-season games? I have no idea, I assume to make more money.
With the #Oilers schedule being released, what games are you most excited for?#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/8eR7gPBNo2
— Oil On Whyte (@OilonWhyte) June 28, 2023
Once again this season the Edmonton Oilers will be one of the top teams to beat. They have hopes of having an excellent regular season, and their expectations are to win the Stanley Cup. In order to win the Cup you need to make the playoffs and that is what the regular season is all about.
The 82-game season is a long and rough grind it will be hard for the Edmonton Oilers and fans to get excited about every game. There are lots of games where that won’t be an issue though. Here are 5 games that I think will be must-watch.
Saturday, October 14th- Vancouver Canucks @ Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers open their season with a home and home against the Vancouver Canucks. The first game of the season is on October 11th, but that game is in Vancouver. The Edmonton Oilers home opener is on that following Saturday the 14th.
This will be the first time the Edmonton Oilers play a meaningful game in Rogers Place since the disappointing playoffs last season. The crowd always gets behind this team, but I expect the crowd to be extra loud for this regular season game.
The Edmonton Oilers are still looking to be a powerhouse team and no one really knows what the Canucks are going to be this coming season. It all depends on their goalie, Thatcher Demko. He had a rough season last year, mostly due to injury. If he bounces back the Vancouver Canucks could be a team to watch for.
This is why this game is must watch. It’s the home opener against a potentially solid team.
Sunday, October 29th- Calgary Flames @ Edmonton Oilers
According to all reports, the Calgary Flames are going to be a much different-looking team as time moves forward. The days of line brawls and goalie fights are likely over, but that doesn’t mean these teams will like each other.
The first Battle Of Alberta will set the tone for the rest of the meetings throughout the year. So, you want to get the advantage early. Since I don’t know what the roster is going to look like for the Flames on opening day I can’t assume who will win. My guess is though the Calgary Flames will be in tough against the Edmonton Oilers this year.
Tuesday, November 28th- Vegas Golden Knights @ Edmonton Oilers
Last season ended in disappointment because the Edmonton Oilers did not make it as far in the playoffs as last season. They were eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in 6 games. This game in late November is the first meeting since that day.
Going into this season the three teams in the Pacific Division to watch out for are Vegas, Edmonton and Los Angeles. This first game against the Knights will be a good litmus test for both of these teams. Not only do they both have good chances of winning the division, but they both have their eyes on winning the Cup.
Saturday, December 30th- Edmonton Oilers @ Los Angeles Kings
Just as the Knights ended the Edmonton Oilers season, the Oilers ended the Los Angeles Kings season. The Kings have already made a few off-season moves in order to improve their team. The most noticeable so far was the trade for Pierre-Luc Dubois.
There was no doubt on paper that the Edmonton Oilers had a better team than LA last season. With the moves made so far this offseason, the Kings have closed that gap for sure. It may have cost the Kings a lot to bring in Dubois, but he does make their team overall better.
This is another game that will be a good litmus test for both of these teams. This could be another first-round matchup as it has been the past two seasons. So seeing how these two teams stack up against each other will be fun to watch.
Tuesday, January 16th- Toronto Maple Leafs @ Edmonton Oilers
When it comes to must-watch games, it is always fun to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs come to town. Not only are these two teams the top Canadian teams, but there will always be the Matthews vs McDavid battle.
There hasn’t been a Canadian team lifting the Cup in a very long time. When it comes to potentially doing it this season the hopes lie with either the Edmonton Oilers or Toronto Maple Leafs. Watching these two teams play each other is always exciting. Both teams seem to elevate their play for one another.
With two of the biggest names in hockey playing against each other not only is this game exciting for just the Edmonton Oilers and Leafs fans, but for the whole NHL.
It will be a long 82-game season as it always is, but the Edmonton Oilers need in my opinion need to win the division. It will be a huge advantage to not have to play either LA or Vegas in the first round. This attitude needs to start on game one all the way through the season.