MONTREAL, QC - MAY 12: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid 97 waits for a face-off during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Montreal Canadiens game on May 12, 2021, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA MAY 12 Oilers at Canadiens Icon210512076
MONTREAL, QC - MAY 12: Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid 97 waits for a face-off during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Montreal Canadiens game on May 12, 2021, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA MAY 12 Oilers at Canadiens Icon210512076
After suffering the longest divisional title drought over three decades, the 2026-27 NHL schedule can potentially turn the tables for the Edmonton Oilers.
“According to @DraftKings, Edmonton will have the EASIEST schedule in the entire NHL for the 2026-2027 season,” Top Tier Hockey’s X post read on July 23, 2026. The page posted a list of each team’s schedule strength and their previous season’s finish. The Oilers stood at 14th.
The Oilers have not won a Pacific Division title since the 1986-87 season, even after Connor McDavid's arrival. But they’re beginning this season against teams with lower standings and will travel less than many of their Pacific Division or Western Conference rivals.
MONTREAL, QC - MAY 12: Look on Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid 97 during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Montreal Canadiens game on May 12, 2021, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA MAY 12 Oilers at Canadiens Icon210512085
MONTREAL, QC - MAY 12: Look on Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid 97 during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Montreal Canadiens game on May 12, 2021, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire NHL, Eishockey Herren, USA MAY 12 Oilers at Canadiens Icon210512085
Their 84-game season begins against the Vancouver Canucks on September 29, then takes on the Seattle Kraken (October 3) and the Anaheim Ducks (October 7). They’ll also play the Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks in October. And none of these teams reached the playoffs except the Ducks.
Moreover, the Kraken will have the worst travel schedule along with the Oilers' other rival, the Vegas Golden Knights (3rd worst). Even the Los Angeles Kings will travel more, giving the Oilers an advantage even there.
Through October, they’ll have the golden opportunity to secure points. But things are going to get tough after that.
When the Schedule Gets Tough for the Edmonton Oilers
Per Oil on Whyte’s writer Noah Guttman, December is when things get tough for McDavid’s squad. The team starts the month against the 2025-26 Atlantic Division champion, the Buffalo Sabres and faces the Washington Capitals on December 3.
Next on the line will be the Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens and the Ottawa Senators. And going past them will not be as easy as the September, October and November games.
“The Capitals could very well be no joke, and the Stars and Wild should easily be in or leading a fight for the Central Division advantage,” wrote Guttman. “Buffalo will be out to prove that their 2025-26 season was not a fluke. While the Habs and Senators will have their own playoff interests at heart.”
The road will only get tougher post-December. But as long as the divisional title is the concern, the Oilers might be okay if they can use all the chances they’ll be getting earlier in the season.
Do you think they’ll succeed? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Deblina Roy