The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are taking it outdoors on Sunday. The Battle for Alberta will be featured in the 2023 Heritage Classic, the 20th anniversary of the NHL’s outdoor game in Canada, on Sunday night.
The first meeting of the season between these two rivals will bring even more angst than usual. In a surprising turn of events, the Flames and Oilers are seventh and eight in the Pacific Division, respectively. Considering both had postseason ambitions on opening night, both sides will be extremely desperate for two points.
The Oilers have gotten off to a 1-5-1 start, and things have gone from bad to worse because Connor McDavid might be forced to miss the Heritage Classic due to injury. McDavid was supposed to miss one or two weeks, and this outdoor Battle of Alberta falls right on the front end of that timeline.
The Flames haven’t fared much better than their provincial counterparts. Calgary has just two wins in its first eight games, and the offense has been stuck in the mud. The Flames are averaging just 2.13 goals per game, and Nazem Kadri has yet to light the lamp this season.
With a couple of frustrated teams entering this year’s Heritage Classic, there could be some fireworks between the Flames and the Oilers.
How to watch the 2023 NHL Heritage Classic
Date: Sunday, Oct. 29 | Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Commonwealth Stadium — Edmonton, Alberta
TV: TNT