Flames, Oilers ready to battle it out before Olympic break

Wednesday will mark the fourth and final instalment of this season's Battle of Alberta. Heading into the game, the Flames have had the edge.

Records

Flames: 22-27-6, 50 points

Oilers: 28-21-8, 64 points

This is the fourth and final instalment of this season’s Battle of Alberta, and so far, the Flames have the edge over their rivals from up north.

Calgary won the first game 4-3 in a shootout.

Then, Edmonton responded with a 5-1 win just before Christmas.

But the Flames came back with a 3-2 victory on Dec. 27.

Flames captain Mikael Backlund says he’d love to go into the Olympic break on a winning note.

“It’s important for us and a big game, too, against our biggest rival,” he said.

“There should be a good buzz here tonight with the crowd and everything, so we’re pretty excited.”

Whenever you’re facing the Oilers, you have to watch out for the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Backlund knows stopping them is no easy task.

“They’re the drivers of their team and one of the best players in the world, so it’s always a challenge playing against those guys,” he said.

“We know they drive their team, so the main focus is to shut them down first and then make it hard on the rest.”

Head coach Ryan Huska says it will have to be a group effort.

“They are the two best players in the NHL right now,” he said.

“It’s not one guy. It’s not Mikael Backlund that’s going to do it or be the guy that’s tasked with shutting down Connor McDavid. It’s a group of five guys on the ice that have to be cognizant and aware when he’s out there, and they have to do it in fives.

“There has to be a lot of numbers around him.”

After Wednesday night’s game, the Flames will have a three-week break for the Winter Olympics in Italy.

Backlund says it’s been a busy season, so this is a good time to recharge the batteries.

“The NHL season is a long grind,” he said.

“I mean, we all enjoy it. It’s the best job you can have but also a mental grind. To get a breather is nice, and obviously this is a long break.

“The schedule has been crazy, but we’ll keep our foot on the gas for one more and enjoy it.”

Devin Cooley will get the start for the Flames.

Puck drop is just after 8 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome.