The Edmonton Oilers began their 2022-23 season with a 2-1 overtime victory against the Calgary Flames last night. It was a feisty affair and a reminder that the Battle of Alberta remains one of the NHL’s more intense rivalries.
The series is now tied 2-2 and the Oilers travel to Calgary for Game 3 tonight. It’s the first time the two teams have played a third game in the same year since the 1991-92 season, which marked the last time the Flames won a playoff series over the Oilers.
Back then, the Oilers and Flames regularly met in the Stanley Cup Finals with both teams winning six of their eight postseason championships from 1983 to 1990. Then, in the 1991-92 season, the best-of-seven series went to the seventh and final game, where Esa Tikkanen scored a hat trick in a 3-2 overtime win for the Oilers, marking the last time the two teams met in the playoffs (until 2022).
If there is any hope of restoring this rivalry, it’s up to the NHL to make it a priority this season. The league could start by limiting the number of games that each team plays against non-divisional opponents and making the divisional schedule more balanced.
The rebalance of the schedule is something that could happen in a few seasons, but it’s not going to be easy. The Edmonton Oilers currently have 48 games against the Atlantic, Central and Metropolitan Divisions this season – more than double their number of games against the Pacific Division rivals. For Full details check the Edmonton Oilers Schedule.
Ideally, the Oilers would play around 34 games against divisional rivals and 48 against non-divisional opponents. That’s a fair compromise for both teams and gives each one of the advantages that comes with having a competitive division.
Highlights of the Edmonton Oilers’ Schedule Including Rivalry Games
The rivalry between the Oilers and Calgary Flames isn’t nearly as heated as it was in the 1980s, but it’s still a fierce rivalry. The battles between the teams are always intense and can be decided by one play or a few big hits.
In this battle of Alberta, Leon Draisaitl had a huge impact with his performance in Game 1 on Friday night. He scored a goal early in the second period and then set up Edmonton’s next two goals. He was a dominant force on the ice and was a huge reason why the Oilers were able to overcome a 2-5 deficit and win the game in overtime.