RELATED View Complete 2012-13 Schedule Coach Krueger on '12'-13 schedule

The Edmonton Oilers will open their 34th National Hockey League season with a road date in Vancouver against the division-rival Canucks on Sunday, January 20. The first home game of the 2012-13 season will be Tuesday, January 22 when the San Jose Sharks come to Rexall Place.

"This is great news for the Oilers faithful who have been so loyal and supportive during the long labour negotiations. We know our fans can't wait to see their team, with so many bright young stars finally performing in regular season NHL games," said Oilers President and COO Patrick LaForge.

"We look forward to a 48-game schedule," said General Manager Steve Tambellini. "This is going to be an incredibly intense push to the finish line."

This season's schedule will see the Oilers play five games against Northwest Division opponents Vancouver (three home, two away) and Colorado (two home, three away) and four against the Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild­ for a total of 18 games.

Rounding out their 48-game schedule, the Oilers will play three games against each of the remaining teams in the Western Conference, facing Central Division opponents once at home and twice on road and facing Pacific Division opponents twice at home and once on the road for a total of 30 games.

The Oilers will have one five-game home stand this year. From February 12 to February 23, Edmonton will entertain Dallas, Colorado, Los Angeles, Minnesota and Phoenix. They also have one nine-game road swing from February 25 ­to March 12 with stops in Chicago, Dallas, St. Louis, Minnesota, Columbus, Detroit, Nashville, Chicago again and Colorado.

Edmonton plays in eight back-to-back games this season as well as four afternoon games, all on the road.

Edmonton Oilers hockey is presented in part by the Rexall Family of Pharmacies, Molson Canadian, ATB Financial, Cenovus Energy and Ford.