This Week in the NHL: Oilers host Panthers in Stanley Cup Final rematch

Credit: Jun 15, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) skates with the puck defend by Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) in the second period in game four of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

With 32 teams and seemingly infinite storylines, it’s hard to keep track of all the weekly goings on during the NHL season. That’s why I’m here to help. Every Monday from October to April, I’ll preview the key events, games, narratives and milestones in play for the week.

So what’s on tap for Dec. 16-22?

Dec. 16: First rematch of the 2023-24 Stanley Cup Final

Florida Panthers @ Edmonton Oilers, 8:30 p.m. ET

Time for a midseason litmus test. Neither the defending champion Panthers nor the Oilers have felt as dominant this season as last, but both remain big parts of the 2024-25 Stanley Cup contender mix. Maybe a chance to avenge last season’s Game 7 heartbreak can provide extra motivation for an Edmonton team that had slightly underachieved so far this season but has been heating up of late, winning five straight games and eight of its past 10.

Dec. 20: NHL holiday roster freeze begins

From 12:01 a.m. local time Dec. 20 through 12:01 local time Dec. 28, roster movement for waivers, trades and loans will stop for any player on an NHL active roster, injured reserve, or with non-roster and injured non-roster status as of 11:59 p.m. local time Dec. 19. Happy holidays, NHLers.

Dec. 21: West’s top two teams lock horns

Minnesota Wild at Winnipeg Jets, 7:00 p.m. ET

Anyone who claims they predicted Minnesota and Winnipeg would top the Western Conference standings in mid December is a liar. Both teams have defied expectations, especially the Wild coming off a season in which they missed the playoffs. Who is more for real: the Wild, led by Kirill Kaprizov in Hart Trophy caliber form, or the Jets, led by Connor Hellebuyck on a quest for a third Vezina Trophy? Saturday marks their third meeting this season. Winnipeg won the first two.