'YOU FEEL THE BUZZ IN THE CITY'

Not to sound overly dramatic, but …
Buckle up.
Sure, the duty of us media types - at least, partially - is to hype these games and tell the story from ice level, with a promise of blood, sweat and tears: 'This, we proclaim, shall be the best night of our lives!'
This one, though?
It sells itself.

With the Flames and Oilers both rolling, and with only a quarter of the season left on the schedule, fans on both sides of this bitter, provincial aggression have eyes on a possible first- or second-round playoff matchup.
And tonight could be the precursor.
The tone-setter.
A tilt that turns the clock back to the spring of '91.
What more could you want?
"Obviously it would be great," Milan Lucic said of the playoff possibility. "It would be great as a competitor and as an athlete to be part of a rivalry like this.
"I look back to my time in Boston - we played the Canadiens four times in the playoffs in the first seven years that I was there. It was one of those things where it adds to it because there's a history to it.
"Obviously there's a lot of games left to be played, but if it happens, it would be something great to be part of. And as players, it would be something great, too, with the travel, you know? We wouldn't have to travel too far, so it wouldn't be too hard on the body that way. It would be great."

Lucic, you may recall, made some enemies in La Bell Province. The role he played, that perennial, playoff pugilist, remains a hot-button issue for many in Habs land.
"Yes," Lucic agreed, flashing a wry smile during Saturday's morning press conference. "I still am popular in Montreal.
"A lot of people still say hi to me."
'Hi.'
(Insert air quotes here.)
As a competitor, how could you not love that kind of legacy?
Lucic, of course, is no stranger to the Battle of Alberta. He's been on both sides of the infamous, QEII Quarrel, dividing the six years in this province, equally, between the two clubs.
While a potential playoff meeting is, at best, another five weeks away, the 33-year-old believes that a tone can be struck now.
Especially here, in your own barn.
"For me and what I've experienced, it's more of the mental edge that you feel you have on the other team," he said. "I think that's why this game is a big game. And also, it's a big game, too, to see who's ready to step up in big games and play in a big game when it matters the most. That's what I think both teams are looking forward to this one, because it is a big test that way. That's what I feel it's done in the past in my experience."
Stick tap to Mark Spector at Sportsnet, who highlighted one of the positive trends to emerge in the new year. Since Jan. 22, the Flames and Oilers are 1-2 in the NHL's overall standings, with the homeside leading all clubs with an impeccable, 20-6-2 record. The Oilers, though, aren't far behind, three points back with an 18-8-3 mark.
When the two squads last locked horns, the Oilers had hit a rough patch. Injuries to key players were mounting and the healthy Flames took full advantage, beating them 3-1 on March 7, right here at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Tonight, eight players that were either absent or on different teams earlier this month, have bolstered the Edmonton roster.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jesse Puljujarvi, among others, are back from injury, while newcomers Brett Kulak and Derick Brassard have stabilized both the front- and back-end of this Edmonton lineup.
For the first time all the season, the Oilers are healthy and have the depth that good teams need down the stretch - so much so, that former Flames forward Derek Ryan was a healthy scratch on Thursday, and looks to be again tonight in his old haunts.
That brings us to puck drop, and the aforementioned 'tone' that could come into focus for either side tonight.
Is it possible we'll see a line brawl, or even a goalie fight, like the one Cam Talbot and Mike Smith spearheaded in the pre-pandemic days?
Whatever the flavour, it's sure to strike a chord with everyone involved.
"It's a big game," Lucic said. "Obviously, when you get to this point in the schedule and both teams are in a playoff position, it adds to the rivalry. You feel the buzz in the city today.
"Flames fans and Oilers fans are excited for this one and we are as players, as well."