PREVIEW: Oilers vs. Jets (Preseason)

The Edmonton Oilers open their four-game preseason schedule with a home tune-up against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday as part of Fan Day at Rogers Place.

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Today's Game Preview is sponsored by Molson.

PREVIEW: Oilers vs. Jets (Preseason)

EDMONTON, AB – We're that much closer to getting this show on the road.

We haven't quite made it to Opening Night yet, but Saturday's preseason kickoff at Rogers Place between the Edmonton Oilers & the Winnipeg Jets is going to feel like a celebration that the 2026-27 NHL season is right around the corner.

The Oilers are ready to put the lessons from Head Coach Mike Babcock's arrival this offseason into practice, starting on Fan Day at Rogers Place this weekend, where fans can enjoy open practices, an exclusive locker room sale, and a variety of family-friendly activities to welcome hockey back to Oil Country this month. 

The event runs from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM, with the game roster taking the ice for morning skate at 9:30 AM, followed by a practice for the rest of the team at the Downtown Community Arena at 10:10 AM.

Admission to all Oilers Fan Day activities is free, with fans of all ages welcome to attend.

Babcock has spent the first on-ice sessions of Training Camp this week building the foundation for the Oilers to be a fast-paced team that they hope to solidify over the coming days & preseason games, including line combinations and D pairings.

All of that will begin to shake out when he stands behind the bench for the first time with the Oilers on Saturday, where the 63-year-old says it's going to be an adjustment for him as he gets set to take control of an NHL bench for the first time since 2019.

Babcock says the shorter preseason is a huge positive due to the jam-packed schedule, meaning there are fewer opportunities for players to impress and get their games in order, which raises the competition and commitment levels during Training Camp.

"If you're coming back as a coach, you know way more than when you're new as a coach. Everyone gets a fresh chance," Babcock said. "I don't know of a better situation now that camp's so short. They've made it hard, so I'm not going to learn a whole bunch until I'm standing on the pine there tomorrow night."

The lineup for Saturday's game will be made apparent during the morning skate.