The Calgary Flames got revenge on the Edmonton Oilers with a 3-2 win in the Battle of Alberta on Sunday. In the previous duel between the teams on Christmas Eve, the Flames were clearly behind with a 1:5.
“We did a lot of things significantly better,” explained Calgary head coach Ryan Huska after the successful revenge. “The discipline was better and I felt our effort and determination were significantly higher.”
The fact that the Flames left the ice as winners this time was primarily due to a unified team performance. Goalie Dustin Wolf made his 100th NHL appearance, recording 29 saves and the goals were split between three different heads.
Yegor Sharangovich (8th) initially gave the hosts the lead, but Oilers defender Evan Bouchard (9th) had the right answer on the power play just a few moments later and equalized after an assist from Leon Draisaitl.
Oilers: McDavid hit comes too late
In the second half of the game it was Ryan Lomberg (24th) who put Calgary in the lead again, and Blake Coleman’s goal (53rd) gave them a two-goal lead. Even the late goal from superstar Connor McDavid (56th), which led to his twelfth game in a row with at least one point, couldn’t change the Flames’ victory.
“We slowly got into the game. In the third third we had another period of pressure. They clung to their lead and we just couldn’t score the equalizing goal. There were a few hits on the post and good chances, but we weren’t as precise as before the break,” Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch analyzed after the defeat.
The Oilers (19-14-6, 44 points), who are currently in third place in the Pacific Division, will face the Winnipeg Jets at the end of the year on Tuesday (1:30 a.m.). The Flames (16-18-4, 36 points) are in seventh place in the same division and can also compete against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday (3 a.m.).
NHL: The results of the day
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| New York Islanders | New York Rangers | 2:0 |
| Florida Panthers | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2:4 |
| New Jersey Devils | Washington Capitals | 3:4 OT |
| Winnipeg Jets | Minnesota Wild | 3:4 OT |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Detroit Red Wings | 5:2 |
| Buffalo Sabres | Boston Bruins | 4:1 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Ottawa Senators | 7:5 |
| Dallas Stars | Chicago Blackhawks | 3:4 nP |
| St Louis Blues | Nashville Predators | 3:2 |
| Los Angeles Kings | Anaheim Ducks | 6:1 |
| Calgary Flames | Edmonton Oilers | 3:2 |
| Vancouver Canucks | San Jose Sharks | 3:6 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Colorado Avalanche | 5:6 nP |