I always take a quick glance at the NHL schedule when it comes out in June, and when I do I look for three things. One is when opening night is, two is when the home opener is, and three is when the Oilers make a visit to Boston to battle Bruins and allow me to watch live.
That said, there are other marquee games on the schedule, games that fans really shouldn’t miss. So I decided to make a list of the five games that I view as the top for the 2015-16 Oilers season.
I did not include October 8th @ St. Louis, opening night and McDavid’s debut, the October 15th home opener against the Blues or the April 6th home finale against the Canucks. Why? Those games are far too obvious and games that just about every fan will be watching anyways.
5.) Saturday, October 31st, Flames @ Oilers: The first Battle of Alberta at Rexall Place should be a fun one. The Oilers will wear their new third jerseys, and the crowd should be all jazzed up thanks to it being Halloween night.
I’m also sure that the Oilers will be jacked up to face the Flames on home ice. Calgary dominated the Oilers last season and that shouldn’t sit well with anyone in the organization. Should be a fun game to watch or attend!
4.) Friday, November 6th, Penguins @ Oilers: The first meeting between Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid could very well be a historic match-up. Crosby is considered the NHL’s best player, and was the most hyped prospect since Eric Lindros.
McDavid enters the NHL as the most hyped prospect since Crosby, so the expectations are high and the comparisons will be flying. Seeing these two on the ice against each other for the first time will be a complete treat.
3.) Sunday, December 6th, Sabres @ Oilers: Jack Eichel Vs. Connor McDavid, need I say more? The top two picks from the 2015 NHL draft will always be connected, always be compared, and they first meet in December at Rexall Place.
The Oilers have won three out of four against Buffalo, but the Sabres will be much improved this season, just like the Oilers. Some say this could be the next Crosby V Ovechkin rivalry. Round one should be a lot of fun at Rexall Place.
2.) HDIC, Saturday, February 6th, Oilers @ Canadiens: Edmonton’s record on Hockey Day In Canada has to be terrible, I feel like they lose on it every single year. That being said, Hockey Day is one of my favorite days of the year, and the games are always fun to watch.
This year, Edmonton will be in Montreal in what will be a star-studded match-up as Carey Price and PK Subban take on Connor McDavid and Taylor Hall. Oh, plus it’s a heck of a start to Super Bowl weekend!
1.) Saturday, April 2nd, Flames @ Oilers: Barring a miracle playoff match-up this will be it, the final Battle of Alberta at Rexall Place. Think of all the epic battles, all the tilts in that building between those teams. It’s going to be quite a night that I’m sure will see some old Oilers return.
Should be an awesome appetizer for the final game at Rexall Place four nights later.
Which games are you looking forward to the most?
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