[getbak]

From the CBA...

(a) Clubs shall provide each Player with a monthly travel/practice schedule prior to each full month of the Regular Season indicating the days that have been designated as days off for each Player. Clubs shall endeavor to schedule no less than four (4) days off for Players per month (up to two of which may be scheduled on the road) during each full calendar month of the NHL Regular Season. A day off shall be a day off for all purposes, except that if a Club travels following the conclusion of a game, the next day may be considered a day off if the Club is scheduled to arrive at its destination city by no later than 2:00 a.m. local time. If a Club travels on the day following a game (i.e., stays at a hotel overnight and departs the following morning), such day may not be considered a day off. The parties recognize that events may unfold such that the monthly schedule may need to be altered or modified to adjust for unforeseen and compelling circumstances. League scheduled off-days or breaks (e.g., All-Star break, Holidays, Olympics) shall count as a day off for purposes of this subsection (a).

The Oilers playing like garbage should definitely not qualify as unforeseen circumstances.