Battle of Alberta Preview: Oilers Look to Stay Hot, Flames Aim to Spark a Turnaround
The Battle of Alberta is always a must-watch, but this one feels especially charged. The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are heading in different directions, but when these two meet, the standings tend to take a backseat to pride, grit, and momentum swings that can define a season.
Let’s dig into the matchup and what’s at stake tonight.
Oilers: Riding High, Eyes on the Top
The Oilers come in with a 28-21-8 record and 64 points, tied for first in the Pacific Division. That’s a far cry from where they started the season - remember, this team was floundering early - but they’ve clawed their way back into the thick of the playoff race. And they’ve done it with a blend of elite firepower and just enough defensive stability to keep opponents honest.
Their last outing was a 5-2 loss to Toronto, a reminder that even high-flying offenses can be grounded. But don’t let that scoreline fool you - Edmonton has been rolling.
They’re averaging 3.42 goals per game, and their power play is clicking at a lethal 31.0%. That’s not just good - that’s game-breaking.
When you’ve got Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl quarterbacking the man advantage, the puck moves like it’s on a string.
McDavid is doing McDavid things again - 34 goals and 95 points in 57 games. Add in Draisaitl’s 78 points and Evan Bouchard’s emergence as a true offensive weapon from the blue line (15 goals, 60 points), and you’ve got a top-heavy attack that can bury you in a hurry.
Still, there are cracks. The penalty kill sits at 77.7%, and the goals against per game (3.28) shows they’re still giving up more than they’d like.
Goaltending has been serviceable, with Tristan Jarry likely getting the nod tonight. He’s 15-6-2 with a 3.02 GAA and a .895 save percentage - numbers that suggest he’s held the fort, but hasn’t stolen many games.
Flames: Searching for a Spark
It’s been a grind of a season for the Flames. At 22-27-6, they sit seventh in the Pacific with 50 points.
Their last game was also a loss to Toronto, 4-2, and they’ve dropped seven of their last 10. Scoring has been a major issue - just 2.47 goals per game - and the power play is sputtering at 15.5%.
Nazem Kadri leads the team with 37 points, followed by Mikael Backlund (33) and Rasmus Andersson (30). That’s solid production, but not nearly enough to keep pace with the high-octane offenses in the West. Calgary’s defensive effort has been more reliable - their 2.98 goals against per game is better than you’d expect for a team this far down the standings - and the penalty kill has been a strength at 83.0%.
Dustin Wolf is the probable starter in net, carrying a 2.98 GAA and .896 save percentage. Like Jarry, he’s been steady, but the Flames need more than steady right now - they need someone to steal a game.
Head-to-Head: Tale of Two Teams
Let’s look at how these two stack up:
- Recent Form: Edmonton is 5-5-0 in their last 10; Calgary is 3-5-2. Neither team is red-hot, but the Oilers have been more consistent.
- Home/Road Splits: Edmonton’s been strong at home (15-10-4), while Calgary has struggled on the road (8-17-2).
- Special Teams: This is where the gap really shows.
Edmonton’s power play is elite. Calgary’s?
Not so much. But the Flames do have the edge on the penalty kill.
Faceoff win percentage is close - 52.2% for Edmonton, 49.2% for Calgary - but every little edge matters in a rivalry game like this.
Injuries and Depth Concerns
The Oilers are missing Adam Henrique (LTIR), which hurts their forward depth. But they’ve managed to absorb that loss thanks to their top-end talent.
Calgary, on the other hand, is dealing with a longer list of injuries: Blake Coleman, John Beecher, Jake Bean, Samuel Honzek, and Henry Mews are all out. That’s a lot of missing pieces, especially when you’re already struggling to find consistency.
What to Watch For
- **Can Calgary’s penalty kill slow down Edmonton’s power play? ** That’s the biggest tactical question heading into this one.
If the Flames stay out of the box, they’ve got a shot. If not, McDavid and Co. could feast.
- **Can someone step up for Calgary offensively?
** Kadri and Backlund are doing what they can, but the Flames need more from their middle six if they’re going to hang in this one.
- Will Edmonton tighten up defensively? They’ve been winning despite giving up goals. If they can clean up their own zone, they’ll be that much tougher to beat.
Bottom Line
This one’s about more than just two points. It’s about bragging rights in Alberta, about momentum in the playoff race, and about two teams trying to define who they are down the stretch.
For Edmonton, it’s a chance to keep pace at the top of the division and show they’re a serious contender. For Calgary, it’s an opportunity to punch up, spoil the party, and maybe - just maybe - start building something before it’s too late.
Drop the puck. Let’s go.