Oilers playoff tickets sell out in minutes

Oilers playoff hockey starts Wednesday It’s the hottest ticket in town as Edmonton Oilers playoff hockey is returning to the city.

Edmonton Oilers fans looking to take in some long-awaited NHL playoffs saw their options get a lot more expensive Monday. The Oilers will face the San Jose Sharks in round one of the postseason tournament and the team released the final batch of playoff tickets to the public at 10 a.m. The remaining seats sold out within minutes and now the team is directing fans to Ticketmaster's resale site but warn they will most likely pay above face value.

"The market drives it right?" says Oilers Entertainment Group Chief Commercial Officer Stew MacDonald. "If people are willing to pay they move up, if the market starts to slow down fans usually drop the price on their tickets so worthwhile to continue to check."

Oiler fan Kristian Holowchak was one of the lucky ones securing seats to game two of the opening round to be played on Friday. "Honestly the seats themselves don't really matter it's just going to the playoffs period, that is the big accomplishment here."

Fans not lucky enough to get their hands on seats and not willing to pay the asking prices on Ticketmaster's site can potentially find themselves a deal on third-party sites like StubHub. But the Oilers warn those tickets do not guarantee entry into Rogers Place. Stew MacDonald adds, "Lots of other companies will guarantee your purchase but that just means if you don't get in we'll give you your money back. That doesn't do you any good standing at the gate."

The 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs first round series between the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks begins Wednesday, April 12.

Game 1: Wednesday, April 12 8 p.m. in Edmonton

Game 2: Friday, April 14 8:30 p.m. in Edmonton

Game 3: Sunday, April 16 8 p.m. in San Jose

Game 4: Tuesday, April 18 8 p.m. in San Jose

Game 5: Thursday, April 20 TBD in Edmonton

Game 6: Saturday, April 22 TBD in San Jose

Game 7: Monday, April 24 TBD in Edmonton

With files from Jeremy Thompson