Edmonton Oilers host Vancouver Canucks in NHL season opener at Rogers Place

NHL season opener at Rogers Place

The NHL season kicks off on Wednesday, 30 September 2026 with a clash between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. The puck drops at 02:00 UTC at Rogers Place in Edmonton, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated Western Conference encounter. With both sides eager to start the campaign on a positive note, the Oilers will aim to leverage home advantage in this early-season fixture.

Standings and recent form

The match sees the Oilers positioned third in the standings, albeit with no games played yet this season, mirroring the Canucks who sit ninth. However, recent form favours the Oilers heavily. Edmonton have dominated their pre-season and early matches with a flawless five wins from five outings, scoring 19 goals and conceding just six. Their notable victories include a 4-1 home win over the Calgary Flames and a tight 2-1 away win against the Canucks on 25 September. Conversely, Vancouver have managed only one win in five games, suffering four defeats and conceding 18 goals while scoring 9. Their solitary win came at home against the Seattle Kraken by 4-3 on 26 September, but they were trounced 6-1 by Edmonton on 17 April and lost 1-2 at home to the same opponents just days ago.

Head-to-head history

The recent head-to-head meetings between these two sides have been decidedly one-sided. The Oilers have won both encounters so far this season, including a convincing 6-1 home victory on 17 April 2026 and a narrow 2-1 away win on 25 September 2026. Together, these games produced a total of 10 goals, with Edmonton scoring eight of those. Vancouver have yet to register a win against Edmonton this season, highlighting the challenge they face at Rogers Place.

Where to watch

Fans in the United States can follow the action live on ESPN+, providing comprehensive coverage of this NHL fixture. The early kick-off time means viewers will be treated to a high-tempo game to start the hockey week.

Match expectations

The Edmonton Oilers enter this match in strong form, with an unbeaten run that suggests they could continue their dominance over Vancouver. The Canucks, battling a poor run of results, may struggle to overcome the home side’s momentum. Given the Oilers’ attacking prowess and defensive solidity demonstrated in recent games, they look well placed to defend their home ice successfully. Vancouver will need to improve both their scoring and defensive efforts to challenge the Oilers and secure a positive result.

Where the teams stand

Recent form

Head-to-head