Edmonton Oilers promise emotional farewell spectacle in home clash featuring Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs

Hockey fans are in for a spectacle when Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers host Auston Matthews’ Toronto Maple Leafs on February 3, 2026. The showdown at Rogers Place isn’t just about two of the NHL’s biggest superstars colliding—it will also mark a special Olympic send-off celebration, making the night one of the most anticipated dates on the 2025-26 calendar.

Connor McDavid headlines Olympic send-off before Leafs clash

The Oilers confirmed that their clash with Toronto will double as an Olympic send-off night—the final home game before McDavid and his teammates head to Milano for the 2026 Winter Games. Edmonton has planned 16 themed nights across the season, but this one stands apart given the weight of both the NHL rivalry and the Olympic narrative.

For McDavid, who has already been confirmed for Team Canada, this game will carry extra significance.

Hockey Canada has announced its orientation camp in Calgary from August 26–28, and alongside McDavid, the likes of Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Sam Reinhart, Cale Makar, and Brayden Point have also secured their places on the roster. With such names leading the charge, expectations for Canada’s Olympic campaign are soaring.

Auston Matthews aims to lead Team USA to glory

While McDavid will be at the heart of Canada’s ambitions, Auston Matthews is preparing for his own historic opportunity.

The Leafs’ captain is expected to wear the ‘C’ for Team USA, who are still chasing their first gold medal since the legendary “Miracle on Ice” in 1980. Matthews has already been named among the six confirmed players for the American squad, alongside Matthew Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, Jack Eichel, Brady Tkachuk, and Charlie McAvoy.Though Matthew Tkachuk is recovering from surgery, he is expected to be available by February, adding another layer of firepower to a roster desperate to end decades of Olympic heartbreak.With McDavid and Matthews set to collide in Edmonton just before taking their rivalry onto the Olympic stage, February 3 promises more than just a regular-season clash. It’s shaping up to be the night where NHL glory and Olympic dreams converge under one roof.Also Read: Vancouver Canucks’ identity at crossroads as Quinn Hughes trade talk intensifies with Devils showing strong interest