The Vancouver Canucks will host the Edmonton Oilers in the first two games of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
But diehard fans may have to watch their hometown team potentially win the series in another city.
The city has warned locals to brace for traffic impacts, advising them to take transit, walk, or cycle to the first and second games of the series on Wednesday, May 8 and Friday, May 10. The Canucks will play to sold-out crowds at Rogers Arena for both games.
Rogers Arena may even fill up again for the next two games played in Edmonton. The arena sold tickets to viewing parties for $15 each to watch the Canucks play the Predators in the first round.
Game 3 on Sunday, May 12 won't be a decisive game in the Canucks vs. Oilers series but Game 4 on Tuesday, May 14 could see the Canucks advance to the fourth round of the playoffs (if they can take Edmonton in a four-game sweep).
The Canucks may also play a home game on Thursday, May 16 depending if both teams have at least one win in the first four games. After that, they may also return to Edmonton for Game 6 on Saturday, May 18.
Can I still score flights from Vancouver to Edmonton to see the Canucks play the Oilers?
Fans were able to score cheap flights from Vancouver to Nashville by taking the red-eye flight before Game 6. However, the Predators barred people living outside the Nashville Predators television-viewing area — Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia — from purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster. Locals had to get creative to get tickets, including having friends or family living in Nashville get them.
Locals looking to travel to Edmonton can browse tickets from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) starting at prices under $300.
A flight departs Vancouver on Saturday, May 11 at 6:10 a.m. and arrives in Edmonton at 8:50 a.m. Travellers on this itinerary would stay for Game 3 on Sunday, May 12 and fly back on a direct flight on Monday, departing at 10:30 p.m. (see slide two).
The total cost of the ticket with Flair is $298, which is considered "high" for Economy, according to Google Flights.
Fans who prefer to fly in on the day of the game can also catch a direct flight from Vancouver to Edmonton on Sunday, May 12 at 9:10 a.m. and return on Monday. The trip costs $466 with WestJet on the outbound and Flair on the return; tickets must be booked separately (see slide three).
Locals who want to catch Game 4 can fly directly from Vancouver on Tuesday, May 14 at 8:25 a.m. and fly home on Wednesday, May 15 on an evening flight at 10:30 p.m. The total cost of the round-trip, direct option with Flair Airlines is $278 (see slide four).
Canucks supporters may also wish to stay in Edmonton for both games. They could combine an evening flight on Saturday, May 11 or a morning flight on Sunday, May 12 with one on Wednesday, May 15.
Edmonton hotel prices range between $100 and $200 during the playoffs.
