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When Do the Oilers Play Next? Schedule, Playoffs, Gretzky

Ethan Ryan Mitchell Campbell • 2026-05-07 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

If you’re an Edmonton Oilers fan still wondering when the team plays next, the answer comes with a sting. The Oilers’ 2025-26 season ended sooner than expected, eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Anaheim Ducks, and this article lays out the full schedule, playoff details, and answers to the other questions — from Wayne Gretzky’s health to what’s next for the franchise.

Next scheduled game: No upcoming game after Apr 28, 2026 · Last game played: Apr 28, 2026 – Oilers 4, Ducks 1 · 2026 playoff outcome: Eliminated in first round by Anaheim Ducks · Wayne Gretzky condition: Arthritis (per published reports)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Oilers eliminated from 2026 playoffs (NHL.com)
  • Last game: Apr 28 – Oilers 4, Ducks 1 (NHL.com)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Wayne Gretzky still owns a stake in the Oilers (unverified in available sources) (NHL.com Oilers)
  • Wayne Gretzky’s current arthritis condition — historical reports confirm the condition but no specific 2026 update available (NHL.com Oilers)
  • Exact identity of the fan who briefly interrupted an Oilers game (NHL.com Oilers)
  • Precise Stanley Cup odds for the Oilers following elimination (NHL.com Oilers)
3Timeline signal
  • April 20-30, 2026 – First-round series vs Ducks (NHL.com)
  • Ongoing – Gretzky lives with arthritis (per historical reports) (NHL.com)
4What’s next
  • No scheduled games after end of 2025-26 season
  • NHL free agency and 2026-27 schedule pending
  • Oilers front office to address roster changes

Seven key facts, one pattern: most of the information fans search for clusters around the team’s sudden playoff exit and the health of its greatest legend.

Fact Value
Next Game No future game listed after Apr 28, 2026
Last Game Apr 28, 2026: Oilers 4 – Ducks 1 (NHL.com)
Playoff Elimination First round (lost to Anaheim Ducks) (NHL.com)
Gretzky Health Arthritis (per historical reports)
Top Performers (Game 4) Evan Bouchard and Connor McDavid each with 2 points (CBS Sports)
Regular Season Record (Nov 22) 10-9-5 (ESPN)

When Do the Oilers Play Next?

The Oilers do not have a scheduled game after their season ended on April 30, 2026. The NHL regular season schedule concluded with a final non-playoff game on April 16, 2026, but the Oilers were in the playoffs at that point. Their last game was Game 5 of the first round on April 28, a 4-1 win over the Ducks at Rogers Place (NHL.com).

Do the Oilers play tonight?

No. As of today, no games are listed. The 2025-26 season is over for Edmonton.

Is the Edmonton Oilers game on TV tonight?

No broadcast – there are no games to air. Once the 2026-27 schedule is released (typically in July), fans can check local listings for Sportsnet or CBC.

Oilers schedule 2025-26

  • Season opener: Oct 8, 2025 – Oilers vs Flames (3-4 SO loss) (ESPN)
  • Regular season finale (non-playoff team): Apr 16, 2026 – Oilers vs Canucks (if applicable)
  • Playoff series vs Ducks: Apr 20-30, 2026
The upshot

Edmonton fans will have to wait until October 2026 for the next regular-season puck drop. The immediate focus shifts to the draft, free agency, and roster retooling.

The implication: the 2025-26 season closed earlier than a city accustomed to deep playoff runs expected.

Are the Oilers Out of the Playoffs?

Yes. The Edmonton Oilers were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks in six games in the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The series ended with a 5-2 Ducks win in Game 6 on April 30 (NHL.com).

Oilers done in by injuries to McDavid, Draisaitl in 1st-round loss to Ducks

The Oilers entered the playoffs with key players at less than 100%. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both missed time during the series, and the team struggled to generate offence at critical moments (CBS Sports).

Oilers standings 2025-26

Edmonton finished the regular season as the 2nd seed in the Pacific Division, setting up the first-round matchup. Their record through late November was 10-9-5 (ESPN).

Why this matters

The first-round exit halts a period of sustained contention. After reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2024 and 2025, the Oilers face questions about their core’s championship window.

The pattern: injury depth, not star power, decided this series.

What Are the Chances of the Oilers Winning the Stanley Cup?

With the Oilers already eliminated, their 2026 title chances are zero. For the 2027 season, betting markets will likely still list Edmonton as a contender due to their star power, but a first-round exit typically pushes odds lower.

Who is favored to win the Stanley Cup in 2026?

As of the second round, teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars are considered frontrunners. Official odds are updated by sportsbooks such as DraftKings and FanDuel throughout the playoffs.

NHL 2025-26 Stanley Cup playoff chances and projected standings

Analytics models from sites like MoneyPuck and The Athletic assign percentages based on roster strength and playoff performance. No specific number is available for the Oilers in our sources, but their elimination resets projections for next year.

Does Gretzky Still Own the Oilers?

Our sources do not provide a verified statement on Wayne Gretzky’s current ownership stake. What is confirmed: Gretzky has publicly discussed living with arthritis, a condition that affects his mobility. The question of ownership remains unanswered in the available research.

What condition does Wayne Gretzky have?

Wayne Gretzky has been managing arthritis, which he has linked to the wear and tear of 20 NHL seasons.

Is Wayne Gretzky a smoker?

This is an unverified rumor. No authoritative source confirms or denies this claim.

The paradox

Fans still link Gretzky to the Oilers as the franchise’s soul, yet his current relationship with the team is unclear — and the arthritis revelation adds a personal note to the public figure.

The catch: even the greatest Oiler remains partly a mystery to the fanbase that still idolizes him.

Who Is the Richest Hockey Player in the World?

Our research does not include a definitive source for this question. Common knowledge points to Wayne Gretzky due to his career earnings and endorsements, but without a verified figure we will not state a specific number.

Who is the most famous NHL wife?

Names like Kelly McDavid (wife of Connor McDavid), Amanda Kessel (fiancée of Phil Kessel), and others appear in celebrity gossip lists. No authoritative source is available in our inputs.

List of highest-paid NHL players by season

Connor McDavid is widely reported to be among the highest-paid current players, with an AAV of $12.5 million. Wikipedia maintains a list, but we lack a direct citation for the current season.

Timeline: Oilers’ 2026 Playoff Collapse and Gretzky’s Health

  • April 20–30, 2026 – First-round playoff series vs Anaheim Ducks; Oilers eliminated in six games (NHL.com)
  • April 28, 2026 – Oilers win final home game of the season (4-1 vs Ducks) (NHL.com)
  • Ongoing – Wayne Gretzky lives with arthritis (publicly discussed)

What this means: the timeline of the Oilers’ season and Gretzky’s personal health narrative now converge in the public eye.

Confirmed Facts vs. What Remains Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Oilers eliminated from 2026 playoffs (NHL.com)
  • Last game: Apr 28 – Oilers 4, Ducks 1 (NHL.com)
  • Game 1: Oilers 4-3 Ducks (PlayoffStatus.com)
  • Game 4: Ducks 4-3 OT (CBS Sports)

What’s unclear

  • Whether Gretzky still owns a stake in the Oilers (no source)
  • Wayne Gretzky’s current arthritis condition — historical reports confirm the condition but no specific 2026 update available
  • Identity of the fan who briefly interrupted a game
  • Precise Stanley Cup odds for the Oilers after elimination
  • Whether Gretzky is a smoker (unconfirmed rumor)

The pattern: more questions than answers remain about the Oilers’ legend and the team’s immediate direction.

The Oilers dropped the series 4-2 to the Ducks after Game 6 on April 30.

NHL.com – Playoff Recap

McDavid and Bouchard each registered two points in a losing effort in Game 4.

CBS Sports – Oilers Schedule

For Oilers fans in Canada, the road ahead is clear: the team needs a healthy core and a deeper roster to avoid another early exit. Without McDavid and Draisaitl at full strength, the 2026 playoffs became a lesson in depth — or the lack thereof. The franchise now watches the rest of the postseason from home, and the question “when do the Oilers play next” turns into “what will they look like when they do.”

Additional sources

heavy.com

Fans still remember the heartbreak of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, where the Oilers fell to the Panthers in a dramatic Game 7.

Frequently asked questions

How can I watch the Oilers game if I live outside Canada?

Once the 2026-27 schedule is released, international viewers can use NHL.tv or a VPN with a Sportsnet subscription.

What is the Oilers home arena called?

Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.

Who are the current Oilers captains?

Connor McDavid is the team captain. Leon Draisaitl and others serve as alternates.

What are the Oilers’ odds of making the playoffs next year?

Still high given their core, but no official odds are available until the offseason.

How many Stanley Cups have the Oilers won?

Five (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990).

Where does Wayne Gretzky rank among all-time NHL scorers?

First in goals (894) and assists (1,963).

What is the net worth of Connor McDavid?

No verified figure in our sources; estimates range around $50 million.



Ethan Ryan Mitchell Campbell

About the author

Ethan Ryan Mitchell Campbell

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.