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Edmonton Oilers Show Calgary Flames Who The Better Alberta Team Is

By Devon Hladunewich

EDMONTON, CANADA - OCTOBER 29: Brett Kulak #27 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates with the bench after scoring the team`s first goal against the Calgary Flames during the first period of the 2023 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at Commonwealth Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, CANADA - OCTOBER 29: Brett Kulak #27 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates with the bench after scoring the team`s first goal against the Calgary Flames during the first period of the 2023 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at Commonwealth Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /
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Coming into the Heritage Classic I noted that this game would have a playoff vibe and that the Edmonton Oilers would come out playing their best game. After watching this game that is exactly what happened as they beat the Calgary Flames 5-2.

The Edmonton Oilers before this game had been playing the worst hockey I have seen them play over a 7 game stretch in a very long time. I knew they had the players to beat any team, they just needed to figure it out.

The Edmonton Oilers Appeared To Have Figured It Out

The Edmonton Oilers on the ice tonight looked like the Oilers of last season. It was nice to see the Oilers work hard to get the puck in battles. Before tonight the Oilers looked lazy, but tonight you could almost see it clicked with them as a unit.

148. Final. 2. 112. 5

There was no bad line or not bad players tonight. Everyone did their job. Would you like to see some players get on the scoreboard? Of course you would, but when you have players like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid you get a bit of leeway cause they can take over a game.

A Healthy Connor McDavid Helps

There were question marks before this game if Connor McDavid would play due to an injury. He played and he looked like he didn’t skip a beat. There were no lasting issues that showed in the game tonight.

The Oilers went 11 and 7 so that meant that they double-shifted one of their forwards throughout the lineup. Most of the time it was Draisailt or McDavid, and when it was McDavid I was a bit worried that he could aggravate his injury, but I didn’t see any lingering effects.

There were two stand-out players in this game from an Edmonton Oilers perspective. Evander Kane and Stuart Skinner played in such a way that they were very noticeable. Kane was out there playing the body, laying big hits and making his presence felt.

Skinner on the other hand had a slow start to this game, but eventually, he got a few shots against and didn’t let the Flames get back in this game. He made every save he need to and didn’t suck momentum for the Oilers who were playing a solid game in front of him.

Are The Flood Gates Now Open?

The Edmonton Oilers winning this emotional, big-moment game could be just what the doctor ordered. They have struggled to get anything going so far this season, but this win could carry over.

The Oilers played their best game by far tonight and there was no doubt that the team knew that as well. I think that the Edmonton Oilers are going to take this win and carry the momentum forward. The only downside is the Oilers don’t play again till Thursday.

Next. The Oilers’ surprising ranking in The Athletic’s weekly power poll. dark

They will be at home against the Dallas Stars on November 4th. If I was the Dallas Stars I would be scared rolling into Edmonton after watching the Edmonton Oilers play that game.

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