The thrills, spills and chills of the first 2 Oilers games of the season

VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 11: Connor McDavid #97 and Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers wait for a face-off during the second period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on October 11, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, CANADA - OCTOBER 11: Connor McDavid #97 and Leon Draisaitl #29 of the Edmonton Oilers wait for a face-off during the second period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on October 11, 2023 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
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Edmonton Oilers
Oct 14, 2023; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Evander Kane (91) shows a hit on Vancouver Canucks defensemen Filipe Hornek (17) during the first period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Relive the excitement and agony, as we unravel the thrills, spills, and chills from the first two Edmonton Oilers games of the season.

As the puck drops on another thrilling season of NHL action, the air in Edmonton is thick with anticipation and hope. Fans gather, jerseys adorned and banners unfurled, as the Edmonton Oilers embark on a journey towards the ultimate hockey glory: the Stanley Cup.

For Oilers faithful, it’s not just a new season; it’s a fresh opportunity to rewrite the narrative. Last season, the Oilers, despite their early promise, faced yet another disappointing early exit in the playoffs. The pain of coming so close, only to fall short, has become a recurring theme in recent years. But with every new season comes renewed hope, a chance to learn from the past, and the opportunity to chase a brighter future.

The Edmonton Oilers are no strangers to the highs and lows of the NHL. They boast a storied history filled with legends, from the Wayne Gretzky era to the more recent feats of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The franchise, which has won the Stanley Cup five times in the past, carries the weight of its own legacy into each season. The expectations are always high, and the desire for another championship runs deep in the hearts of both the team and its fans.

The disappointment of the previous season, where the Oilers faced a playoff exit earlier than they’d hoped, still lingers. It was a stark reminder that the road to the Stanley Cup is fraught with challenges and that success is far from guaranteed. But it’s precisely this hunger for victory, this desire to overcome adversity, that fuels the Oilers and their dedicated supporters.

As the first pucks are dropped and the players hit the ice, the Edmonton Oilers will be aiming to set a new course. With a roster filled with talent, including the likes of McDavid and Draisaitl, they have the potential to be a formidable force in the league. The journey ahead will be filled with thrills, spills, and chills, but the Oilers are ready to embrace the challenges head-on.

However, the opening chapter of this season took an unexpected twist, leaving Oilers faithful in shock. The team’s Pacific division rival, the Vancouver Canucks took the home-and-home series, and what transpired on the ice was nothing short of disbelief.