The NHL schedule for the upcoming 2026–27 season was released last week, the first season to feature 84 games per team since 1993–94.
With so many games, looking over the Edmonton Oilers’ schedule may seem a bit daunting when trying to figure out which games should be circled on your calendar as “can’t miss.” Lucky for you, I have gone through the schedule to pick out some games that I think you should make sure you are around to view.
Note: this is not my personal “can’t-miss” list, as mine is in fact 84 games long
September 29, 2026, versus the Vancouver Canucks
The first game of the season is an obvious answer to a marquee game, but just because it’s obvious doesn’t mean it should be omitted. After all, it’s our first chance to completely overreact on how the season will go—win, and it’s time to plan the parade; lose, and it’s time to look at the top prospects for the 2027 draft.
I guess if you did want some kind of bigger reason, then there is the fun fact that this will be the first time the Oilers will have ever played a regular season game in September. So it is guaranteed to be a history-making game, and you don’t want to miss out on witnessing history, do you?
October 10, 2026 and January 13, 2027, versus the San Jose Sharks
This is a double-entry due to the opponent. Specifically, one member of the opposing team. The October game will be the first time that there will be Oilers jerseys and Darnell Nurse on the ice at the same time, except he won’t be wearing one. I’m sure we will get lots of heartwarming videos, both on the ice and off, of Nurse interacting with his former teammates, which are sure to draw at least a misty eye or two, if not some tears.
The second game will be the first game Nurse returns to Edmonton, and despite some of the vitriol that had been spewed towards him at the end of his tenure, one expects (or at least really hopes) that he will be given a very warm welcome. Tears would be more expected for this one, I’d assume.
October 24, 2026, versus the Toronto Maple Leafs
Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs games tend to always be entertaining. This is given the fact that everyone from Toronto can never seem to get over the fact that Connor McDavid didn’t immediately request a trade to the Centre of the Universe after he found out Edmonton won the lottery, and that 11 years later, he still hasn’t.
But this year, there is the added intrigue of seeing the newest first-overall pick, Gavin McKenna, live in Edmonton for the first time. McKenna was hyped as a can’t-miss, potentially borderline generational player since he was 15 years old, similar to McDavid and Connor Bedard. He was also the third player to ever be granted exceptional status by BC Hockey and Hockey Alberta, after Bedard and current Oiler Matthew Savoie.
Add in Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Leon Draisaitl, and you have a star-studded affair that is sure to live up to the hype.
December 3, 2026, versus the Washington Capitals, and February 13, 2027, versus the Pittsburgh Penguins
I’m doing another double-entry year, mainly because the reasoning is the exact same for each game.
Alex Ovechkin will be 41 years old this season, and who knows whether the NHL’s all-time leader in goals will play another season. Granted, being 71 goals away from 1,000 may mean he does keep going until either he hits it or absolutely can no longer play anymore.
Sidney Crosby will be a little bit younger at 39, and he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. He posted 74 points in 68 games last year, making that 21 straight seasons notching over a point per game. But he also has just one year left on his current deal, so there are no guarantees he continues to play after this year;
So really, these could potentially be the last chances you have to see these two living legends play live, although we all hope that won’t be the case.
November 17, 2026 and January 7, 2027, versus the Florida Panthers
With two straight years of Stanley Cup losses to the Florida Panthers, it is safe to say they have become rivals and villains for Oilers fans. They have also become villains to the entire NHL recently, with it seeming that every good American player only wants to play there now.
Add in that they have now acquired the second Tkachuk brother in Brady, and it is safe to say the hate has only grown stronger. These games will be must-watch TV, even if it is hate-watching. The second game is the one at home for the Oilers, and one has to wonder if they will have to pump in some oxygen from the casino next door in order to ensure the fans don’t pass out from having to boo both brothers all game.
January 17, 2027, versus the Winnipeg Jets
This is the first home game the Oilers have against the Winnipeg Jets this season, which means it could be the first time that former Oilers’ goalie Stuart Skinner faces his former team.
Yes, Skinner was with the Penguins last season when they visited Rogers Place on January 22, but Skinner was the backup that night. This game has the potential for Skinner to actually have to face both his old teammates and his old fans while tending the crease. There likely won’t be any tribute as that was done last season, but hey, at least if there are some boos, he can pretend it’s just the fans doing the old “Stuuuuu” chant.
If not this game, there is one more home game against the Jets, the last game of the season on April 10, to finally get in that homecoming.
March 23, 2027, versus the Calgary Flames
This may not be the last Battle of Alberta of the season, but it will be the last ever BOA taking place at the Saddledome, with the Calgary Flames moving to their new arena, Scotia Place, next season.
Could it be argued that this should have been the last game of the season, or at least the last ever game at the Saddledome? Unequivocally yes. Granted, the Vancouver Canucks are probably the second-best option, and in fact, they also were the opponent for the Oilers at the last-ever game at Rexall Place, so maybe it is kind of fitting. Although it begs the question, if the Canucks ever move from Rogers Arena, which of the Oilers or Flames gets the honour of being the opponent?
There is a lot of history in the Saddledome, especially with the Oilers. Connor McDavid scored the overtime series winner in the latest playoff edition in 2022, and the infamous Cam Talbot and Mike Smith fight took place there. Going further back, you have the iconic Wayne Gretzky slapshot overtime winner in 1988. Oh, and who can forget when Craig MacTavish had had enough of Harvey the Hound’s antics and ripped out the mascot’s tongue? Watching the video, you can see how that left Harvey absolutely speechless.
So, hated rivals or not, it is still a bit sad to see one of the last iconic/unique arenas in the league shutter its doors, so you probably should tune in to see the Oilers (hopefully) win one final game in the old barn.
Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire
