Who would you want to see the Edmonton Oilers play in game one of the regular season?!

When the Edmonton Oilers take the ice for the first game of the 2024-2025 NHL regular season, the anticipation will be palpable. The opening matchup is always one of the most hyped games of the year, setting the tone for the entire campaign. As the Oilers continue to chase their long-awaited Stanley Cup dreams, who they face in Game 1 can carry significant meaning. Do they need a statement win to announce their intent? Would a tough test right out of the gate provide an early benchmark? Or should they ease into the season with a more favorable matchup?

The Edmonton Oilers have a roster stacked with superstars like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman, but even with the best players in the league, their first opponent could significantly impact how they approach the rest of the season. Here’s a look at the key considerations in choosing the ideal Game 1 opponent for the Oilers.

1. The Colorado Avalanche: A True Measuring Stick

There’s no doubt that the Colorado Avalanche have become one of the most successful and dominant teams in the NHL over the past few seasons. With players like Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar, the Avalanche are the definition of a complete team. They’re strong in all three zones, balanced between skill and physicality, and have the experience of winning the Stanley Cup just two seasons ago.

For the Oilers, opening the season against a team like the Avalanche would be both thrilling and challenging. The matchup would serve as an early measuring stick for where Edmonton stands in terms of both skill and depth. Colorado is the standard in the Western Conference, and after two heartbreaking playoff exits at the hands of the Avalanche in consecutive seasons, a Game 1 showdown would have an added layer of intrigue. Could the Oilers prove that they have the pieces to get over the Avalanche hump? Could McDavid and Draisaitl go toe-to-toe with MacKinnon and Makar in what promises to be an early high-octane affair?

While the Avalanche are formidable, they’re also one of the teams that Oilers fans view as the biggest obstacle to Stanley Cup glory. The earlier Edmonton faces them in the season, the sooner they can start adjusting to the challenge. A win over Colorado on opening night would send an early statement to the rest of the league and set the tone for the season.

From a fan’s perspective, the intensity and drama of this matchup would certainly provide a spectacle worthy of an opening game. Both teams play a fast-paced, skilled game with plenty of offensive firepower, which could make for an electric, high-scoring showdown. It could be a game for the ages, and it would undoubtedly live up to the excitement.

2. The Calgary Flames: The Perfect Rivalry Opener

The Calgary Flames have long been the bitter rivals of the Oilers in what is one of the most heated rivalries in the NHL. The Battle of Alberta has seen some of the league’s fiercest contests, with physicality, passion, and pure emotion running high. The rivalry has deep roots, dating back to the 1980s, when the two teams were perennial Stanley Cup contenders. In recent years, the rivalry has cooled off a bit in terms of both teams being truly elite, but there’s no denying that when the Oilers and Flames meet, it’s more than just a hockey game. It’s a war on ice.

Opening the season against the Flames would be a great way to get the blood pumping early. The rivalry between these two teams adds a level of unpredictability to every matchup. Players are often willing to lay it all on the line in these games, and as a result, it’s impossible to predict what might happen. A season opener against Calgary would ensure that the Oilers’ intensity level is high from the first puck drop.

From a strategic standpoint, Calgary presents a challenging opponent. With Jacob Markstrom in goal and a solid defensive core, the Flames can be a tough team to break down. Furthermore, their physical game could force the Oilers to be more focused and disciplined. It’s not just about scoring goals; it’s about surviving the war of attrition that the Flames often bring.

For the Oilers, winning the first game of the season against Calgary would serve as a confidence boost. With all the talent on their roster, they would be expected to win, but a dominant victory over their bitter rivals would give Edmonton the psychological edge, showing that they can impose their will early.

Fans would love it too. The Battle of Alberta is a must-watch event for hockey lovers across the country, and having it as the first game of the season would set the stage for an exciting year filled with drama, rivalry, and intense competition.

3. The Vegas Golden Knights: The Reigning Champions

There’s always something special about facing off against the defending Stanley Cup champions, and with the Vegas Golden Knights having just won the Cup in 2023, a matchup with them in Game 1 would instantly add some extra intrigue to the opening of the season. The Golden Knights are a deep, balanced team that combines offensive firepower with stellar goaltending, making them one of the top threats in the Western Conference.

The Golden Knights’ blend of size, speed, and skill would test the Oilers right from the start. Players like Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Chandler Stephenson can turn a game around with just one shift, and their depth makes them a tough team to prepare for. Vegas plays a system-based game that relies on structure, while also being opportunistic offensively. Their ability to play both the physical game and a fast-paced style could be a tough early challenge for Edmonton.

However, playing the defending champions on opening night would be a great opportunity for the Oilers to prove that they are ready to take the next step. After coming so close to winning the Cup in recent years, an opening game against Vegas would give Edmonton the chance to show that they are hungry to claim the top prize. There’s no better way to start the season than to take down the team that set the benchmark for success.

For fans, this game would be loaded with drama. The narrative of the defending champs going up against the team that has long been knocking on the door adds an extra layer of excitement. Both teams will come out firing, and a win would serve as an important statement from the Oilers that they’re just as hungry for the Cup as the Golden Knights.

4. The Toronto Maple Leafs: A National Stage Matchup

There’s always something special about when the Edmonton Oilers face the Toronto Maple Leafs—the two most storied franchises in Canada, and two teams that are constantly in the spotlight. The Leafs have made a ton of noise in the past few years, but they haven’t been able to break through and win the ultimate prize. With Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares leading the way, Toronto is always considered one of the league’s top contenders.

A season opener against Toronto would bring the full force of the Canadian media and fans into the fold. Both Edmonton and Toronto have rabid fanbases, and there’s no denying that a matchup between McDavid and Matthews would be a spectacle for the ages. It would be the kind of game that brings out the best in both teams, with stars on both sides eager to make an impact.

The Maple Leafs are a highly skilled team with tons of offensive firepower, but their lack of consistency in net and on defense has been an issue for them in the past. For Edmonton, facing Toronto early in the season would be a good opportunity to see where they stand against another offensive juggernaut. It would also force them to tighten up defensively and not get caught up in a high-scoring affair.

While the Leafs may not be a direct rival like Calgary, the game would certainly have high stakes and national attention. There’s something about playing in front of a national audience, and what better way to kick off the season than with the bright lights shining down on McDavid vs. Matthews? Fans across Canada would tune in to witness one of the most anticipated matchups of the year, with both teams carrying high expectations for the season.

So, who would I want to see the Edmonton Oilers face in Game 1 of the 2024-2025 regular season? There are plenty of worthy candidates, but each potential matchup carries its own unique appeal. Whether it’s the Colorado Avalanche as a measuring stick, the physical intensity of the Calgary Flames, the championship pedigree of the Vegas Golden Knights, or the star power of the Toronto Maple Leafs, any of these teams would make for an electrifying season opener.

Ultimately, Edmonton’s first game of the season should be an opportunity to establish their dominance, test their resolve, and send a message to the rest of the league. It should be a matchup that energizes the fans, gets the players fired up, and sets the stage for what could be a magical season. No matter who the opponent is, one thing is for sure: the Edmonton Oilers will be ready to make a statement from the moment the puck drops.