Controversy rises for NHL scheduling decision with Oilers playoffs vs Stars

The full schedule has already been released by the NHL and Sportsnet, but there's one game that Oilers fans have an issue with in particular - a matinee Game 3 on home ice.

After the Dallas Stars eliminated the Winnipeg Jets last night, Sportsnet immediately shared the full third round schedule.

It's a very much normal playoff schedule, but includes one bizarre matinee Game 3 at 1:00MT.

The NHL likes to use matinees for American teams on weekend games, because it can draw a larger amount of eyes to television and spark higher attendance. However, this Game 3 is in Edmonton - where viewership and attendance is never a concern.

Perhaps part of the decision is also to get more eastern fans watching McDavid's Oilers in a high stakes series. Even then, it wouldn't make sense that the Oilers consistently get 8:00MT start times.

Playoff games should always be the main event of the sports world, and they always feel that way with a later start time. It's a bit unfortunate, but at the end of the day wont take much away from the game.

Still, that hasn't stopped Oilers fans from voicing their displeasure about the matinee start. It doesn't help the Oilers usually are terrible in matinees.

The Oilers weren't able to get a longer break for rest and recovery with the earliest possible start of Tuesday night, but Edmonton will be ready regardless.

After Game 2 of the series, the Oilers should be getting Mattias Ekholm back - which could have potentially been earlier if the Jets earned a Game 7.

The Oilers are still only improving and getting healthier along their road to the Stanley Cup. If they can keep up this play and health, they'll be an unstoppable force trying to win the first cup in the McDavid era, finally.