Advantage Oilers: Battle of Alberta shifts to Game 3 Sunday

Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid skates as fans look on during warm-up prior to NHL second round playoff hockey action against the Calgary Flames in Calgary, Alta., Friday, May 20, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh THE CANADIAN PRESS

Posted May 21, 2022 11:40 am.

Last Updated May 22, 2022 5:45 pm.

There was a moment when Edmonton’s chances in the Battle of Alberta seemed to be slipping away.

After giving up nine goals in Game 1 and going down 3-1 in Game 2, the cursory hockey fan could hardly be blamed if they pre-emptively backed the Flames as likeliest to win the series.

But a display of team resolve when it mattered the most – and a historic performance from Connor McDavid so far in the post-season – allowed Edmonton to claw its way back in Friday’s game and into the series.

RELATED:

With Zach Hyman’s short-handed goal in the third period sealing the encounter, what looked unlikely at various points in the two games at Calgary’s Saddledome is now a reality: it’s advantage Edmonton – with the series tied 1-1 – heading into Games 3 and 4 in the provincial capital.

“Our competition level was excellent,” said Edmonton coach Jay Woodcroft after Game 2. “Our execution level coming out of our own end was very good. We found a way to win the special-teams battle. We scored a power-play goal. We scored a short-handed goal.”

Alberta last hope for Canadian Stanley Cup win this year

More than just a playoff Battle of Alberta, the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers are the only Canadian teams remaining in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. So which team is Canada cheering for?

Video Player is loading.

Current Time 0:00

Duration 0:00

Loaded: 0%

Stream Type LIVE

Remaining Time 0:00

After completing any road team’s objective of splitting the first two games of a series, the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal – the first Battle of Alberta since 1991 – shifts to Rogers Place for Game 3 Sunday and Game 4 Tuesday.

And it’s not a building the Oilers have made a habit of losing in, of late.

Edmonton went 18-4-2 in front of its home fans over the final 24 games of the regular season.

That run propelled the Oilers (49-27-6) into second place in the Pacific Division behind leaders Calgary (50-21-11).

MORE ‘BATTLE OF ALBERTA’:

Part of the plan for Edmonton heading into its home games will be to keep Calgary away from what it does best: five-on-five hockey.

Friday’s comeback was made possible after McDavid and Co. scored consecutive goals on the power play, at four-on-four and shorthanded to grab hold of proceedings.

But when the likes of McDavid and Leon Draisaitl get a chance to start wheeling around the offensive zone with more space is when Calgary gets into trouble.

McDavid’s goal and assist Friday made him the fastest active player to reach 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in a single post-season, and fastest among any player since Mario Lemieux in 1992.

“We’re playing into their hands,” Flames defenceman Noah Hanifin said. “When you’re playing those four-on-fours and you’re short a lot, it’s tough when their top guys can touch the puck and feel it a bit.

“The main thing for us is just trying to keep it five-on-five. We’re having good starts. We like our game at five-on-five.”