It's the fourth and final regular-season meeting between the two rivals, with the Flames (39-17-8) having won two of three. Calgary has been among the best teams in the NHL, with most shutouts (goalie Jacob Markstrom has nine). They've been the most consistent team not named the Colorado Avalanche. Forward Johnny Gaudreau (85 points; 30 goals, 55 assists in 64 games) has had an MVP-type season, coach Darryl Sutter has pushed all the right buttons and forwards Tyler Toffoli and Calle Jarnkrok, each acquired prior to the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline, has been a good addition.
The Oilers (36-24-5) are seeking consistency, having followed up their winning streaks with losing streaks. They're hoping to build on a 5-2 win against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. It's nice to see goalie Mike Smith back from injury. Hopefully he can stay healthy because they'll need him for their playoff run. They have the top two scorers in the NHL in centers Connor McDavid (95 points; 35 goals, 60 points in 64 games) and Leon Draisaitl (90 points; 44 goals, 46 assists in 65 games) and center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins returned Thursday after missing 12 games with an upper-body injury, and we know the type of playmaker he is. This should be a good game, as well as a physical one; third-place Edmonton will try to narrow Calgary's nine-point lead in the Pacific Division lead and erase the two-point edge held by the second-place Los Angeles Kings.
