The Edmonton Oilers play their one and only home Battle of Alberta of the regular season against the Calgary Flames on Saturday night, with puck drop slated for just after 8:00 p.m. at Rogers Place.
You can watch the game on Hockey Night in Canada & Sportsnet or listen live on the Oilers Radio Network, including 630 CHED.
Read the Preview then check back later in the afternoon for the Pre-Game Report.
Video: RAW | Jay Woodcroft 10.14.22
News and notes from Oilers practice at Rogers Place on Friday…
>> READ MORE IN THE INSIDE THE OILERS BLOG
EDMONTON, AB – Check back later in the afternoon following media avails for the Pre-Game Report.
— Jamie Umbach, EdmontonOilers.com
OILERS vs. FLAMES
STREAM: 8:00 p.m. MT; televised on Sportsnet & CBC
Oilers Team Scope
Oilers fans will get their one and only taste of the Battle of Alberta this season, with Saturday’s game being the only time the Flames travel up the QEII to Rogers Place on the schedule.
Despite only a few games scheduled between the two teams, the Oilers know that this is an opportunity to set the tone against a side in which a playoff collision could be on the cards.
“We played them a lot more with the playoffs last year, they’re a good team,” Zach Hyman said. “Once the playoffs rolls around there’s a good chance we’ll be playing them again. We have to get there first, but two really good teams going at it. It’s exciting when the Battle of Alberta has that extra meaning when there’s two teams with high expectations. I don’t look at the schedule too much, and three times feels a little light, but we’ll make the most of it.”
The Oilers opened their season on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks, picking up the 5-3 come-from-behind victory over the Pacific Division rival. The tandem of McDavid and Draisaitl continued to show why they are regarded as two of the best players in the National Hockey League, combining for four goals and seven points — including a hat trick by the Oilers captain.
Video: RAW | Connor McDavid 10.14.22
Jack Campbell had a solid first start as a member of the Blue & Orange, turning aside 33 of 36 shots against for a .917 save percentage. Although there was lots to like in the contest, the Oilers allowed eight powerplays for the visitors and had several other areas of their game they would like to clean up as the season progresses.
“It wasn’t our best, certainly a lot of things to clean up. We didn’t skate yesterday, we went over a lot of different things, had a good practice today, so we’ll be ready to go tomorrow,” Connor McDavid said. “We definitely make sure we’re five tight all over the ice. We kind of got spread out the other night. Like you said, that crispness that we were missing kind of all night. Expect that tomorrow.”
The Oilers could have some added reinforcements for the Hockey Night in Canada contest as both Kailer Yamamoto and Warren Foegele skated on Friday while they continue to work their way back from injuries sustained in the preseason.
Calgary Team Scope
Calgary is coming into the season with a very new look following the departure of franchise stalwarts Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk, but one game into the new era, it looks as if they haven’t missed a beat.
Calgary defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche on Thursday by a 5-3 score, getting offensive contributions from each of their key offseason additions in Mackenzie Weegar, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Nazem Kadri.
“Saw bits and pieces (of the game). We expected that, they’re obviously really well coached,” Zach Hyman said about the game. “They stick to their structure and their system and they have guys who can make plays. They’re obviously a really good team and it’s going to be a good challenge for us. We’re excited, any time it’s a Battle of Alberta on a Saturday night, everybody gets excited. It’s going to be awesome.”
Weegar assisted on a pair of goals, including a long stretch pass to hit fellow defenceman Rasmus Andersson coming out of the box for the break away goal to make it 3-1. Kadri and Huberdeau both had the primary assist on the Flames third period powerplay goals, which effectively put the game out of reach.
“Kadri is a hard guy to play against. A veteran guy that is playing great, had a great year last year,” Connor McDavid said about the newest Flames forwards. “Obviously Huberdeau is such a great playmaker, passed the puck so well and always seems to create things when he’s out there. Two different players, but both very good.”
In net, it was Jacob Markstrom who turned aside 22 of 25 shots on the evening to pick up his first win of the season. The Swedish goaltender will be looking for a bounce back performance against the Oilers after allowing 24 goals in the five games of their second round matchup last May.
Video: RAW | Zach Hyman 10.14.22
By The Numbers
Leon Draisaitl leads all current Edmonton Oilers point getters against the Flames with 49 in his career… Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has played the most career games versus Calgary with 48… The two Aberta teams have played each other 260 times in NHL, with each team playing 130 games at home… Connor McDavid’s hat trick vs. Vancouver on Wednesday was the second time he’s opened a season with at least three goals, with the ’17-18 season being the other occasion… McDavid recorded his 700th career point in the season opener, making him the sixth fastest player in NHL history to reach that mark, trailing two former Oilers in Wayne Gretzky and Jarri Kurri…
Calgary leads the all-time series between the two teams with a 121-111-19-9 record… the Flames finished first in the Pacific and third in the Western Conference with 111 points last season… Calgary lost the 115 points of Johnny Gaudreau when he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the offseason, but were able to replace him with the 115 points of Jonathan Huberdeau… Jacob Markstrom finished third in the NHL in goals-against average last season with a 2.22 mark… The Flames plus-85 goal differential was second in the NHL in ’21-22…
Injury Report
OILERS – Warren Foegele – undisclosed (day-to-day), Kailer Yamamoto – undisclosed (day-to-day), Tyler Benson – knee (IR), Oscar Klefbom – shoulder (IR), Mike Smith – undisclosed (IR), Carter Savoie – lower-body (IR), Raphael Lavoie – undisclosed (IR) – Vincent Desharnais – wrist (IR)
FLAMES – Oilivier Kylington – Personal Reasons (No timeline)
— Michael Arcuri, EdmontonOilers.com
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