For the first time in more than two decades, the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers will meet in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
That’s right. It’s time for the real Battle of Alberta.
The Flames punched their ticket to the second round with a thrilling Johnny Gaudreau goal 15:09 into the first overtime period. It lifted the Flames over the Dallas Stars to reach the second round for the first time since 2015.
The Flames bombarded Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger with 67 shots Sunday night as they controlled play for much of the game.
Needless to say, a collective sigh of relief was drawn.
The Oilers won their game seven with a victory over the LA Kings on Saturday.
The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers have played five previous times in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Oilers hold a 4-1 advantage all-time, but three of the five series went seven games.
This season, the teams split their four-game series 2-2.
Game 1 goes on Wednesday with a 7:30 p.m. start in Calgary. Game 2 in Calgary will be at 8:30 p.m. on Friday before it goes to a 6 p.m. game Sunday. Game 4 will be Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Season series
The Edmonton Oilers won the first two games this season by scores of 5-2 and 5-3, respectively.
The Calgary Flames won the final two, 3-1 and 9-5, respectively.
The Flames top line was key during the season series. Both Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau tallied eight points, and Elias Lindholm chipped in with five points. Noah Hanifin also had five points.
Leon Draisaitl led the way for the Oilers during the season series, with 11 points. Connor McDavid had seven and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had five.
