Breaking down the 2024-25 Edmonton Oilers schedule

Have you been able to catch your breath yet Edmonton Oilers fans? In a relatively short period of time, you've had to deal with the heartbreak of a game seven loss in the Stanley Cup Final, the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and the beginning of free agency, which set off a flurry of activity for your team (as well as everyone else).

Well, as if this wasn't enough to keep you going, on Tuesday the NHL also released the regular season schedule for the 2024-25 campaign. Not that this is a bad thing, as the release of any schedule for your sports team is always an exciting time for fans.

In this respect, there's plenty to look forward to as an Oilers fan. Here are five of our biggest takeaways from the team's schedule for next season:

1) Chance for a strong start

The 2023-24 season saw the Oilers begin on the road, and they were thoroughly embarrassed 8-1 by the Vancouver Canucks. There shouldn't be repeat next time around, as they open the series at home, versus the Winnipeg Jets. On the subject of home, the Oilers have an excellent chance at a fast start to the season -- again unlike the 2023-24 campaign -- as their first four games will all be taking place at Rogers Place.

2) Renewing Stanley Cup Final hostilities

Never mind the almost historic comeback in the Stanley Cup Final - there are plenty who just believe the Oilers are better than the Florida Panthers full stop. Regardless, Connor McDavid and company get to prove themselves with two games versus the Panthers in 2024-25 (albeit the case pretty much every season now). The first meeting will not take place until Dec. 16, in Edmonton, while the rematch in Florida is scheduled for Feb. 27.

3) A revived Canadian rivalry

There's always been a healthy level of competitiveness between the Oilers and Canucks (as well as an unhealthy level between hockey fans in Edmonton and Vancouver). Now, after last season, the passion and stakes have been raised; first by how the Canucks swept the Oilers 4-0 during the regular season, and second after the latter came back from being all but out at three game to two down, to winning the deciding seventh game on the road. The rivals will meet three times in 2024-25, in Vancouver on Nov. 9 and Jan. 18, with the final game in Edmonton on Jan. 23.

4) Road-weary travellers

Road trips can often be the bane of an NHL player's life, but it's just par the course, and certainly much smoother now than it has ever been historically. In any event, the longest road trip of the 2024-25 campaign for the Oilers will be five games, between Feb. 22 - Mar. 1. The Oilers will also face four four-game road trips during the season, with one being part of a stretch of seven away games in eight, between Jan. 4 - Jan. 18.

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5) Best vs. Best

There has long been a dispute -- mainly caused by media and fans in Toronto -- that Auston Matthews is just as good as McDavid. However, the latter has always performed much better in the playoffs, punctuated by this past season's run all the way to game seven of the Stanley Cup Final and winning the Conn Smythe (no matter how hollow a trophy that was for the Oilers captain). We assume the debate has now been put to bed, but this doesn't mean Matthews isn't still a magnificent talent in his own right. In any event, the two superstars will face off in Toronto on Nov. 16, and then back in Edmonton on Feb. 1.