The Connor McDavid-less Edmonton Oilers will play their first of four Monday Night Hockey games that’ll be streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime next week. The team announced the four dates on social media on Wednesday and gave fans an explanation on how they can watch the games.
Back in the spring, Amazon, Rogers Communications, and the NHL announced a two-year partnership to bring hockey games to the world of digital streaming. Monday Night Hockey on Prime features a weekly matchup between notable teams and the platform also offers a weekly around-the-league show called ‘Coast to Coast’ every Thursday.
The first three installments of Monday Night Hockey on Prime saw the Montreal Canadiens host the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Winnipeg Jets host the Leafs.
Next Monday will see the Oilers host the New Jersey Devils for their first game on Prime. The Oilers will be on Monday Night Hockey again a couple of weeks after on November 18 when they visit Montreal. Their third appearance on Prime will come on December 16 when they host the Florida Panthers for a Stanley Cup Final rematch. The fourth and final Monday Night Hockey game will be on April 14 against the Los Angeles Kings.
There have been a few different reactions to the NHL moving into the world of streaming this season. Many have praised the quality and sharpness of Amazon’s visual product while others have expressed frustration about having to pay for another service.
From a Leafs fan on Twitter during Toronto’s Monday Night Hockey game against Tampa Bay: “Watching this TNT-like Amazon Prime broadcast has me feeling like I was kidnapped and held hostage in a cellar the last 10 years forced to watch the s******** hockey broadcasts imaginable and now someone has let me out to see the light.”
From an Oilers fan on Instagram in response to Edmonton’s four Amazon Prime games: “So I had invited people over for Monday to watch the game because I pay extra on my cable to get Sportsnet and I don’t get the game even though Rogers sponsors the team? Why are you taking games away from your regular, loyal, paying fanbase?”