The stage is set for a high-stakes Western Conference clash as the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Vegas Golden Knights to Rogers Place on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Both teams, sitting comfortably in the top half of the conference standings, are eager to make a statement in what’s shaping up to be more than just another regular season matchup. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (6 p.m. MT), with fans able to catch the action on Sportsnet, ESPN+, or tune in via the Oilers Radio Network, including 880 CHED. For those craving even more behind-the-scenes access, Oilers+ offers exclusive content straight from the locker room.
This isn’t just a battle between two playoff-caliber squads—it’s a rematch with plenty of recent history and a dash of off-ice drama. The last time these teams collided in May’s playoffs, the Oilers sent the Golden Knights packing in just five games, propelled by the offensive wizardry of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Vegas fans may still remember Reilly Smith’s buzzer-beater and the emotional rollercoaster that followed, but Edmonton’s relentless attack proved too much. While the Golden Knights licked their wounds, the Florida Panthers ultimately dismantled the Oilers in the Stanley Cup finals, keeping Canada’s championship drought alive since 1993.
Fast forward to this December night, and the narrative has shifted. Both rosters have seen significant changes, and injuries are playing a major role in shaping the outcome. Edmonton, currently 17-13-6 and sixth in the Western Conference, is coming off a 5-2 road loss to the Minnesota Wild. Vegas, just ahead in fifth place at 16-7-10, also dropped their last contest, falling 6-3 to the Calgary Flames. The Oilers enter as favorites, with the latest odds from BetMGM Sportsbook listing them at -147, while the Golden Knights are underdogs at +123. The over/under is set at six goals, reflecting both teams’ penchant for high-scoring affairs.
For Edmonton, the winds of change have swept through the locker room since that playoff run. Gone are familiar faces like Connor Brown, Evander Kane, and Corey Perry. In their place, Andrew Mangiapane and Spencer Stastney are now donning Oilers jerseys, bringing fresh energy and a different look to the forward lines. Perhaps the most notable shift, however, is between the pipes. Stuart Skinner, who was instrumental in last season’s playoff push, has been traded to Pittsburgh in exchange for Tristan Jarry. Unfortunately for the Oilers, Jarry is currently sidelined with an injury, leaving goaltending duties to Calvin Pickard and Connor Ingram. It’s a situation that’s left some fans anxious—can Pickard and Ingram hold the fort against a hungry Vegas attack?
On the Vegas side, the injury bug has bitten hard. The Golden Knights are without top center Jack Eichel for this road trip, and key defenseman Shea Theodore is listed as week-to-week with an upper-body injury. William Karlsson, who’s been a thorn in the side of Draisaitl and McDavid thanks to his defensive prowess, is also out, potentially leaving Vegas more vulnerable down the middle. In goal, all signs point to Carter Hart getting the nod, provided there are no last-minute setbacks. Hart, a recent addition to the roster, faces a tall task against Edmonton’s high-octane offense.
Recent form suggests both teams are finding ways to collect points despite adversity. Over their last 10 games, the Oilers have posted a 6-3-1 record, averaging an impressive 4.0 goals per game while allowing 2.8. Vegas, meanwhile, has gone 6-2-2 in the same stretch, scoring 2.8 goals per contest and giving up just 2.5. The Oilers’ games have been especially lively, with 23 of their 36 matches this season going over the six-goal mark—a whopping 63.9%. Vegas games have also seen offensive fireworks, surpassing six goals in 17 of 33 outings.
Discipline will be paramount for the Golden Knights if they hope to flip the script from their playoff disappointment. Edmonton boasts the league’s second-best power play, converting at a blistering 31.9% rate as of December 20. As one analyst put it, “Vegas needs to avoid penalties due to Edmonton’s strong power play.” That means physical defenders like Jeremy Lauzon must resist the urge to take unnecessary penalties, or risk unleashing the likes of McDavid and Draisaitl with the man advantage. If Vegas can stay out of the box, their chances improve dramatically.
Strategically, the Golden Knights will look to leverage their size in front of the net, with Tomas Hertl identified as a key player to watch. “Utilizing the size advantage puts them in a better position for their scoring chances, even banking on some deflections and redirections in the process,” noted one preview. With Edmonton’s goaltending situation unsettled, crashing the net and creating chaos in the crease could pay dividends. But it won’t be easy—if the Golden Knights can’t break through the neutral zone and generate sustained pressure, McDavid and Draisaitl are liable to “run wild like Hulkamania.”
For Edmonton, the formula is clear: keep the pedal to the metal offensively and capitalize on Vegas’s injury woes. The Oilers have thrived as favorites this season, winning 15 of 28 games when expected to come out on top. Their implied chance of victory sits at 59.5%, and with home-ice advantage, they’ll be eager to put on a show for the Rogers Place faithful. The absence of key Vegas defenders could open up even more room for Edmonton’s stars to operate, especially on the power play.
But don’t count out the Golden Knights just yet. Despite being underdogs, they’ve managed to win one of three games in that role this season, including their only contest with odds as long as +123. Their implied chance of victory may be 44.8%, but they’ve proven time and again that they can rise to the occasion, even when shorthanded. If Carter Hart stands tall in net and Hertl can exploit mismatches down low, Vegas could very well steal two points on the road.
As the puck drops, all eyes will be on the superstars—McDavid, Draisaitl, and Hertl—but it’s the supporting cast and the goaltenders who may ultimately decide this one. With both teams dealing with key absences and recent losses, the hunger for a bounce-back performance is palpable. Will Edmonton’s revamped roster and home-ice edge be enough, or can Vegas overcome adversity and exact a measure of revenge?
One thing’s for certain: when the Oilers and Golden Knights hit the ice, fireworks are never far behind. Fans can expect a fiercely contested battle, with playoff implications and plenty of pride on the line. As the Western Conference race heats up, Sunday’s showdown at Rogers Place is one you won’t want to miss.
