Oilers open season under new coach Mike Babcock against Canucks
The Edmonton Oilers begin a new chapter this season with Mike Babcock behind the bench as the NHL's opening night gets underway across the league.
The NHL season opens tonight with the Edmonton Oilers hosting the rebuilding Vancouver Canucks in their first game under new head coach Mike Babcock. The matchup is part of a full slate of opening-night action across the league.
Elsewhere on opening night, the Carolina Hurricanes raise their Stanley Cup championship banner before facing a Florida Panthers team boosted by the return of captain Aleksander Barkov. The Toronto Maple Leafs, with No. 1 draft pick Gavin McKenna, host the Montreal Canadiens, who reached last season's Eastern Conference final. Other games include an Original Six clash between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers, and a matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and Vegas Golden Knights.
Alberta's other NHL club, the Calgary Flames, open their season Thursday at home against the Seattle Kraken. The Winnipeg Jets start their campaign Friday against the Bruins, while the Ottawa Senators begin their season Saturday on the road against the Leafs.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.