A brief history of the Stanley Cup Playoffs' Battle of Alberta
The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers are fighting the Battle of Alberta in the playoffs for the sixth time in the rivalry's history.
Here's a brief look back at the five previous encounters between the two:
1983: OILERS WON 4-1
In the first meeting between the two sides in the playoffs, the Oilers began a trend of dominance against Calgary, taking the series in five games.
Wayne Gretzky finished with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in the series as Edmonton took the Smythe Division final with ease.
The series was among the least competitively played of the five encounters between the two in the post-season, with Edmonton outscoring Calgary 35-13.
However, it did begin the trend of the Oilers, more often than not, getting the better of the Flames in playoff play.
1984: OILERS WON 4-3
Case in point: Just a year after getting bounced by the Oilers in the Smyth Division final, the Flames got eliminated again.
This was a far more competitive series, going the full seven games and featuring two overtime contests — both Calgary win.
Ultimately, though, the star power the Oilers boasted — in particular, Gretzky and Jari Kurri — proved too much for Calgary to overcome.
The seven-game victory helped propel the Oilers to their first Stanley Cup championship.
1986: FLAMES WON 4-3
Another seven-game series, two years after the first one.
Taking place again in the Smyth Division final, Calgary finally got the better of Edmonton.
The series was decided by a goal scored a little over five minutes into the third period that broke a 2-2 tie in Game 7.
Oilers defenceman Steve Smith attempted a cross-ice pass but it ended up striking Oilers goalie Grant Fuhr's leg and trickled into Edmonton's goal.
This series win still remains the only time the Flames have defeated the Oilers in the post-season.
It also helped catapult Calgary to its first Stanley Cup final appearance, where it fell to the Montreal Canadiens in five games.
1988: OILERS WON 4-0
The most dominant Oilers victory of the four they've earned, Edmonton swept Calgary and, outside of an overtime win in Game 2, had no issues handling the Flames.
Edmonton dominated despite not having home-ice advantage for the first time in their playoff series with each other.
1991: OILERS WON 4-3
The only series outside of the one happening now that didn't see the two teams meet in the Smyth Division final, this one took place in the Smyth Division semifinal and, for the second encounter in a row, saw the Flames with home-ice advantage.
Unfortunately for Calgary, even with Gretzky no longer around in Edmonton, it was the Oilers coming out on top, this time breaking the hearts of Southern Alberta again as Esa Tikkanen scored 6:58 into overtime of Game 7.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
Manitoba government tables bill to end ban on homegrown recreational cannabis
Manitoba is planning to lift its ban on the home growing of recreational cannabis.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.