Fans upset with NHL decision to Oilers playoffs schedule

The Western conference schedule a subject of debate among hockey fans. There's the obvious hard time zone difference, but the later starts can be tough for many eastern fans - and tonight's Oilers puck drop time is tough.

The Oilers will face off against the Kings for game four tonight in Los Angeles, and the start time is much later than eastern fans are used to. Puck drop tonight will be just after 10:30 tonight, likely closer to 11:00 eastern time.


For a team with the best player in the world in Connor McDavid, some fans want to see the Oilers start time moved up so that the entire national audience can see McDavid in prime time. However for this game, even fans in Edmonton are screwed over with a later start than they're accustomed to - at nearly 9:00 MT. This scheduled start time simply isn't good for anyone, except Los Angeles.




It's a real tough decision for Gary Bettman and the NHL. On one hand, the western games need to run longer to allow television slots for eastern conference games to finish, and allow local fans to show up for their teams after work. On the other hand, the NHL Really is missing out by not showing this amazing Oilers squad to as many viewers as possible.

Regardless, true Oilers fans and even true hockey fans will stay up to watch Connor McDavid in the playoffs, no matter the start time.