The Edmonton Oilers host the Calgary Flames tonight down at Commonwealth Stadium for NHL’s Heritage Classic. The last time there was an outdoor NHL game in Edmonton it was the very first Heritage Classic 20 years ago.
As much as this game is going to be a spectacle to watch it is still an NHL regular season game. This means there still are two points up for grabs. For the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames, it is a much-needed 2 points.
After 8 games played the Flames are 2-5-1 while after 7 games the Oilers are 1-5-1. Both the teams were expected to have better seasons than the way they have started so far. This doesn’t mean they can’t turn it around as it is still early in the season.
From an Edmonton Oilers perspective, this game has the makings to be a real momentum builder. Playing the Calgary Flames is always a heated game, but once you add in the fact that it is the Heritage Classic, it makes it even more of a must-win game.
I believe if the Oilers win today it will put this team on the right path and they will start putting some wins together. To do that they need to win tonight though. Heading into tonight’s game here are 3 things that we need to watch for to show signs of improvement.
A Healthy Connor McDavid
Heading into tonight’s game the biggest question from an Edmonton Oilers perspective was Connor McDavid’s health. The good news from all reports is that McDavid looked good in the outdoor practice last night.
McDavid doing all the drills. pic.twitter.com/V7G5QvRJK4
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) October 28, 2023
He was skating on a line with Leon Draisaitl and Warren Foegele. To me, this is a good sign that he may be ready to play. You wouldn’t have him practicing on one of the top lines if you didn’t think he would be there, but then again it is Jay Woodcroft.
There has been no official word on whether he will be playing tonight or not, but if I was to take a guess I would say unless he sleeps wrong and somehow makes it worse McDavid will be in the lineup tonight and having the best player in the world in the lineup can only be a good thing.