Oilers open Stanley Cup playoffs against Ducks on April 20 at Rogers Place
The Edmonton Oilers begin their 2026 Stanley Cup playoff run on April 20 at Rogers Place, hosting the Anaheim Ducks in the opening game of a Pacific Division first-round series. Puck drop is set for 10 p.m. ET, with Game 2 following at home on April 22 at the same start time before the series heads to California.
Edmonton secured the Pacific's second seed with 93 points in the 2025-26 regular season, one ahead of an Anaheim team that grabbed the third seed at 92 points. The narrow gap between the clubs and a split regular-season record point to a tight series inside one of the NHL's most competitive divisions.
How the clubs stack up
The Oilers finished the year as one of the Western Conference's top offensive teams, leaning on a top-six forward group and a power play that ranked among the league leaders. Anaheim's rise under a rebuilt young core made the Ducks one of the season's surprise qualifiers, with goaltending carrying them through a late-season push.
The regular-season series favoured the home side on every night. Edmonton won both games at Rogers Place by 7-4 and 4-2 scores, while Anaheim took the lone meeting at Honda Center 6-5. That split underlines how heavily Game 1 and Game 2 in Edmonton could shape the tone of the series.
Schedule and broadcast details
The series follows the NHL's standard 2-2-1-1-1 format, alternating home ice after the opening pair of games. According to the league's first-round schedule, Games 3 and 4 shift to Anaheim before a potential return to Edmonton for Game 5.
- Game 1: April 20 at Edmonton, 10 p.m. ET
- Game 2: April 22 at Edmonton, 10 p.m. ET
- Canadian broadcasts on Sportsnet, CBC and TVA Sports
- Format: 2-2-1-1-1, best of seven
The Oilers organization confirmed the matchup on April 17 after the Pacific standings were finalized, clearing the way for ticket distribution and the start of playoff media availabilities at the club's downtown practice facility.
Stakes for Edmonton
A deep run would extend the current roster's competitive window and quiet a market that has grown impatient through past early exits. Local outlet The Oil Rig noted that Edmonton's special teams and home record in the second half of the season positioned the club as a favourite entering the round, though Anaheim's goaltending gives the Ducks a puncher's chance on the road.
The city will host watch parties at Ice District Plaza for each home game, and prairie hockey fans are expected to drive interest in hotel and restaurant bookings downtown through the opening week of the series.
What's next
Following the two-game home stand, the series shifts to Anaheim for Games 3 and 4 on April 24 and 26. If required, Game 5 returns to Edmonton on April 29, with Games 6 and 7 reserved for May 1 and May 3. The winner advances to face the Los Angeles-Vegas series champion in the second round.
