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.
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
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before Jasper can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes "for several weeks."
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six figure water bill.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
Paris dazzles with a rainy Olympics opening ceremony on the Seine River
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.