The Grind for Points is Getting Real
Honestly, if you've been watching the Oilers lately, you know it's been a bit of a rollercoaster. One night they look like world-beaters, and the next, they’re struggling to find the back of the net against a bottom-feeder. But right now, we’re staring at a massive stretch of Edmonton Oilers upcoming games that could basically decide if they’re cruising into the playoffs or sweating it out until April.
The schedule makers did them a solid—kinda. After a messy road trip, the team is parked at Rogers Place for a long, long time. We’re talking about an eight-game homestand that is the longest of the 2025-26 season. If you can't stack wins when you're sleeping in your own bed and eating home-cooked meals, when can you?
Breaking Down the Rogers Place Residency
Let's look at the immediate horizon. It’s a busy week. First up, the St. Louis Blues are in town this Sunday, January 18th. The Blues are... well, they’re fine. They’re mid-pack. But these are the "trap games" that have bitten Edmonton in the past.
Then things get spicy.
The New Jersey Devils arrive on Tuesday, January 20th. This one is nationally televised on TNT, so you know the energy is going to be high. It’s followed by a visit from Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday the 22nd. Even in 2026, McDavid versus Crosby is still the matchup everyone circles on the calendar.
Here is the quick look at the immediate slate:
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- Sunday, Jan 18: vs. St. Louis Blues (6:00 PM)
- Tuesday, Jan 20: vs. New Jersey Devils (8:00 PM)
- Thursday, Jan 22: vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (7:00 PM)
- Saturday, Jan 24: vs. Washington Capitals (8:00 PM)
After that, the "easier" part of the schedule kicks in—on paper, anyway. The Anaheim Ducks (Jan 26) and San Jose Sharks (Jan 29) visit. If the Oilers don't walk away with four points from those two games, the local sports radio lines are going to be absolute chaos the next morning.
The Draisaitl Sized Hole in the Lineup
Now, here is the part nobody really wants to talk about but everyone is thinking about: Leon Draisaitl is gone.
He took a leave of absence to head back to Germany for a family illness right before the Vancouver game. It’s tough. The team has been super supportive, with McDavid basically saying family comes first, full stop. But from a pure hockey standpoint? It’s a massive blow. Draisaitl has been a Canucks killer and a power-play wizard all season.
While he's away, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is sliding up to that second-line center spot. It’s a big ask for Nuge, especially as he hits his 1,000th NHL game milestone this week. He’s playing with Kasperi Kapanen and Trent Frederic. It’s a "worker bee" line, but it lacks that elite finishing touch Leon provides.
Between the Pipes: Who Starts?
The goalie situation is finally stabilizing, which is a relief because it was looking dicey for a minute there. Tristan Jarry is back from that lower-body injury he suffered in mid-December. He looked okay against Nashville—made some huge saves, had one "oops" moment with the puck—but he's the clear #1 again.
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Connor Ingram has been a total pro filling in. He’s likely going to get the nod for the second half of back-to-backs, but with this heavy home schedule, expect Kris Knoblauch to lean on Jarry to regain his rhythm.
Why the Standings Are Lying to You
If you look at the Pacific Division right now, the Oilers are sitting second with about 54 points. That looks safe, right? Wrong.
The gap between second and sixth in the Pacific is thinner than the ice at a community rink in May. Vegas is right there. Seattle and San Jose are lurking. Even the Ducks haven't completely fallen out of the race.
Edmonton’s power play is still ranked 1st in the league (sitting at a ridiculous 33.3%), but their goals-against is... not great. They are 22nd in the league in keeping the puck out of the net. You can’t outscore your problems forever, especially in the playoffs. These Edmonton Oilers upcoming games in late January are the perfect time to fix the defensive structure before the trade deadline pressure starts mounting.
The Olympic Break is Looming
Don’t forget that the NHL is taking a massive break from February 5th to the 24th for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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The Oilers have a huge "Battle of Alberta" in Calgary on February 4th, and then the lights go out for nearly three weeks. That makes this current homestand even more vital. You do not want to sit around for 20 days stewing over a losing streak. You want to go into that break feeling like a contender.
What You Should Watch For
If you’re heading to Rogers Place or watching from the couch, keep an eye on Vasily Podkolzin. With Draisaitl out, he’s been elevated to the top line with McDavid and Zach Hyman. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for him. If he can use his size to clear space for #97, he might just stick there even when the lineup gets healthy.
Also, watch the penalty kill. It’s hovered around 79%, which is "just okay." To win a Cup, that needs to be north of 82%.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're tracking the Edmonton Oilers upcoming games, here is the best way to stay ahead of the curve:
- Monitor the Draisaitl Timeline: Check the morning skate reports for Jan 22nd and 24th. His return will likely be announced only a few hours before puck drop.
- Watch the "Goalie Rotation": If Jarry starts three in a row, it means Knoblauch is riding the hot hand. If Ingram starts against the Blues, they are managing Jarry's workload carefully.
- Check Ticket Trends: Tickets for the Ducks and Sharks games are usually cheaper than the Saturday night Capitals game. If you're looking for a budget-friendly way to see McDavid, those mid-week games against rebuilding teams are your best bet.
- Standings Watch: Pay attention to the "Games in Hand." Vegas and Seattle have played fewer games than Edmonton in some stretches, so the "Points Percentage" is a more accurate stat to watch than total points right now.
The next two weeks are going to be a grind. It’s cold in Edmonton, the sun sets at 4:30 PM, and the only thing keeping the city warm is the glow of the jumbotron. Let's see if the boys can actually take advantage of this home ice.