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
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.