Oilers host Los Angeles Kings on Monday in Game 1 of playoffs

The National Hockey League has confirmed the schedule for the first four Edmonton Oilers playoff games.

The Oilers will take on the Los Angeles Kings with home ice advantage at Rogers Place on Monday at 8 p.m. MT.

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The Kings will stay in Edmonton for Game 2 of the series on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

The Oilers will travel to Los Angeles to play the Kings for Game 3 on April 26 at 8:30 p.m.

Game 4 will also be held in Los Angeles on April 28 at 8:30 p.m.

Games 5, 6, and 7 will be held on May 1, 3, and 5 if required. 

This is the third year the Oilers have faced the Kings in the first round.

While hopes were high for the Oilers heading into the season, the team lost several games, winding up in the bottom of the league.

"If you would have told us back in November that this team would be second in the division facing the Kings again, being considered a cup contender after all the tumultuous things that went on in October and November, it's pretty incredible," sports talk host Tom Gazzola said Friday.

"But it's always a wild ride with the Oilers. This team is just full of drama. And I think we wouldn't want it any other way. Because if it was boring, then it wouldn't be as fun."

With a major comeback, including a record-breaking winning streak over the winter, Gazzola says the team is well positioned headed into the playoffs.

"This team might be even better than it was in 2022, than it was in 2023."

"The depth that it has, the Stanley Cup pedigree with Corey Perry, you have Evander Kane, who can be a difference maker. It just depends on, you know, if he's healthy, if he shows up, and then Zach Hyman, a 50 goal scorer, Connor McDavid, 100."

Gazzola expects the hype around the team will be as strong as ever in Oil Country.

"Yes, Oil Country will be ready. Yes, the mosh pit will be buzzing. Yes, the other parties will be going. Parties, barbecues, beers, and chips and pop all that good stuff."

"This is the best time of the year in our city and the playoffs just makes it that much more magical. So Oil Country's ready for another run."

With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson