For the first weekend of the series, the Oilers and Canucks won't play a Saturday Night game, as is literally tradition in Canada. On the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, four American teams will be facing off.
For such a highly publicized series with the NHL's marquee player in Connor McDavid, they've consistently put the Oilers and Canadian teams not in prime-time matchups. The later start time for west coast games is always hotly debated, but not even using a Saturday night has really rubbed fans the wrong way. On both sides of the Oilers/Canucks rivalry, fans took to social media to voice their concerns.
The full schedule for the series has now been announced, along with the game times for the first two games in Vancouver. Again, Oiler fans will be staying up a bit late for a 8:20MT start in Vancouver. Thankfully, what could be an all-important game 6 will be played on the national stage on Saturday Night.
It's unfortunate the Oilers can't align their series to give themselves and their fans the best opportunity to watch the games in prime time, but really, it doesn't matter at all. No matter what, true Oilers fans, Canucks fans, and fans who just appreciate good hockey will be dialled into this series
POLL | ||
MAI 7 | 95 ANSWERS Oilers fans angered with brutal NHL decision for playoff schedule Do you think the NHL should decide to play the Oilers and Canucks series in prime time? | ||
Yes, everyone needs to see this | 78 | 82.1 % |
No, the schedule is what it is | 16 | 16.8 % |
See Results | 1 | 1.1 % |
List of polls |