Calgary @ Edmonton preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 11, 2020 ) Edmonton 3, Calgary 4

The season’s highly anticipated third installment of the battle of Alberta will take place in Edmonton on Wednesday when the Oilers host the Calgary Flames. Adding intrigue to the matchup will be the return of Edmonton forward Zack Kassian, who served a two-game suspension after retaliating for what he felt were questionable hits from Calgary forward Matthew Tkachuk during a 4-3 Flames victory Jan. 11.

The Flames scored the game-winning goal on the second of two roughing minors Kassian was given for his actions that led to his suspension but as the provincial rivals are separated by one point in the Pacific Division, the 29-year-old will be focused on beating the Flames, not Tkachuk. “It’s about the two points. That’s the way we’re going to stick it to them,” Kassian told reporters Tuesday. “Obviously if Tkachuk has the puck and I can hit him clean, I’m not going to pass on it. But that’s the game of hockey. I don’t think anyone is going to pass on a hit, especially in the battle of Alberta.” While Wednesday marks the Oilers first contest in 11 days, the Flames hosted the Blues on Tuesday and missed out on a crucial second point as they fell 5-4 in a shootout despite netting three power-play goals for the first time since Dec. 22 against Dallas. “It helps everybody when the power play’s going,” Tkachuk told reporters after recording a goal and an assist on the man advantage Tuesday. “I thought the power play was dangerous tonight. We needed that and hopefully we can bring that into the next game.”

TIME: 10 p.m. ET. TV: Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Ontario, Sportsnet East

ABOUT THE FLAMES (26-19-6): Sean Monahan registered his 400th career point with his first of two power-play goals Tuesday. Johnny Gaudreau had a pair of power-play assists Tuesday and remains tied with Tkachuk with a team-leading 40 points. Goaltender Cam Talbot made 30 saves against the Blues while David Rittich, who stopped 28 shots against the Oilers in a 5-1 Flames victory Dec. 27, will start the second night of the back-to-back Wednesday.

ABOUT THE OILERS (26-18-5): Edmonton has been middle of the pack league-wide in offense and defense as it ranks 16th with 153 goals scored this season and 17th with 152 goals surrendered. The Oilers possess the league’s point leaders as Connor McDavid (27 goals, 49 assists) tops all NHL players while Leon Draisaitl (27 goals, 48 assists) sits one behind. Goaltender Mikko Koskinen is expected to be between the pipes Wednesday but has surrendered four or more goals in three straight starts - including Dec. 27 against Calgary when he was pulled in the second period.

OVERTIME

1. Calgary lost five of six games coming out of the 2019 All-Star break and six straight following the break in 2018.

2. Oilers LW James Neal sits third on the team with 19 goals but also owns a team-worst minus-20 rating.

3. The Flames and Oilers will face off again Saturday in Calgary and then not again until each team’s regular season finale April 4.

PREDICTION: Oilers 3, Flames 2