Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers remain the class of the Pacific Division when it comes to success when it matters most.

The Edmonton Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks tonight at Rogers Place, and while it's only game two of the season, the stakes are already real. This isn't just about grabbing two points—it's about not letting a Pacific Division rival get an early stranglehold on the standings before October's even halfway done.

The Pacific Division has been a meat grinder for several seasons and home of the Western Conference representative in the Stanley Cup Final for the past three. The Vegas Golden Knights, who won the Cup in 2023, took the Pacific title last season, the fourth time in their eight seasons that they’ve raised a division championship banner.

Edmonton Oilers (1-0-1, in the Pacific Division) vs. New York Rangers (2-2, in the Metropolitan Division) New York; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: The New York Rangers and the Edmonton Oilers

My Flames vs. Oilers predictions and NHL picks call for Edmonton winning a low-scoring Battle of Alberta with a big game from superstar Connor McDavid tonight. The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers scored six or fewer goals in each of their three meetings last year, and tonight's season opener will continue that trend.

It’s a brand new season. With the season just over a week old, it’s worth taking a look at how the rest of the Pacific Division is doing. It hasn’t taken long, but it’s easy to tell which teams will be contending for a playoff spot and which teams will be competing for the services of Gavin McKenna.

OILERS (2-1-1) at DEVILS (3-1-0) 3:30 p.m. ET; MSGSN, SN, TVAS Oilers projected lineup Andrew Mangiapane -- Connor McDavid -- David Tomasek Ryan Nugent-Hopkins -- Leon Draisaitl -- Jack Roslovic Vasil