The Edmonton Oilers open their 2025–26 season on home ice at Rogers Place against their provincial rivals, the Calgary Flames, in a matchup that’s as personal as it is competitive. Few rivalries in hockey carry the emotion, physicality, and high stakes of the Battle of Alberta, and for Edmonton, this game serves as both a tone-setter and a statement opportunity after consecutive deep playoff runs that fell just short of the Stanley Cup. The Oilers enter this season fully aware of their championship expectations, armed with the best one-two punch in hockey in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and buoyed by a retooled supporting cast designed to bring balance and defensive structure to their game. McDavid, still the fastest and most dynamic player in the world, remains the engine that drives Edmonton’s offense, while Draisaitl’s elite vision, power, and finishing ability give the Oilers one of the most unstoppable duos in modern hockey. The top six is rounded out by skilled wingers such as Zach Hyman, who continues to thrive as a net-front presence, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, whose versatility and two-way intelligence make him one of the league’s most dependable secondary scorers. Offseason additions and subtle lineup tweaks have strengthened Edmonton’s depth, particularly with the likes of Dylan Holloway and Warren Foegele adding speed and tenacity in the bottom six. On the blue line, the Oilers have built a more complete defensive group than in years past. Darnell Nurse anchors the top pair with his trademark physicality and skating ability, while Evan Bouchard provides the offensive spark from the back end, quarterbacking one of the NHL’s most dangerous power plays.

The offseason addition of Jake Walman brings much-needed puck-moving stability and left-side balance, complementing Brett Kulak and Vincent Desharnais in rounding out a defense that can handle both pace and pressure. Goaltending remains the biggest question for Edmonton, but the arrival of Connor Ingram gives the team depth and a potential platoon partner for Stuart Skinner, who will look to deliver greater consistency after flashes of brilliance in last year’s playoffs. Edmonton’s formula for success remains simple but deadly: play fast, dominate possession, and punish mistakes. Against Calgary, that means maintaining puck control in the offensive zone and forcing the Flames’ defenders into exhausting, mistake-prone shifts. Expect the Oilers’ power play, led by McDavid’s creativity and Draisaitl’s precision passing, to be a decisive factor — if Calgary gives them opportunities, Edmonton will make them pay. The Oilers will also look to exploit transition opportunities, using their speed to stretch Calgary’s defensive coverage and generate high-danger scoring chances in tight. Defensively, Edmonton must stay disciplined and avoid getting caught in neutral-zone traps or retaliatory penalties, as the Flames will likely try to bait them into frustration. The energy inside Rogers Place will be electric, and the Oilers will feed off that atmosphere, pressing the tempo from the opening faceoff. This is a game built for statement moments — a chance for McDavid to showcase his brilliance, for Edmonton’s improved defense to hold firm, and for the team to demonstrate that their focus is sharper than ever. If the Oilers execute their structure, win the special teams battle, and get solid goaltending, they’ll not only secure an opening-night win but also send an early reminder to the league that their quest for the Cup begins with dominance on home ice — and nothing less.