FLAMES (42-29-7) at OILERS (23-42-13)
TV: CBC
Season series: The Calgary Flames are looking to sweep the Edmonton Oilers for the first time since 2009-10 after winning the four previous games in the “Battle of Alberta.” Led by three goals and three assists from forward Joe Colborne, Calgary has outscored Edmonton 17-8.
Flames team scope: With four games remaining, Calgary has 91 points, one ahead of the Los Angeles Kings for third place in the Pacific Division. The Kings and the Winnipeg Jets (90 points) are tied for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference; they each have five games left. The Flames on Friday recalled forward Sam Bennett, the fourth pick in the 2014 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old is expected to join the team in Edmonton to end a five-game road trip but is not confirmed to play. “It’s pretty surreal right now,” Bennett said. “I’m sure when I’m out there and around the team, it will feel a lot more real. Obviously I’m really excited to be out there with them. It’s a really exciting time of the year, especially for Calgary right now. I can’t wait.”
Oilers team scope: Edmonton will try to respond after an 8-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. “I have no words to describe it,” Oilers forward Jordan Eberle said. “It’s just embarrassing. We are professional hockey players, so when you go out and give that effort, it’s embarrassing. They treated us like a junior hockey team, but because you’re a professional hockey player you have to be able to play through whatever it is or else there will be guys who will take your spot.” After winning three straight games, Edmonton ended a three-game road trip with losses to the Anaheim Ducks, 5-1 on Wednesday, and to the Kings. The Oilers, 5-3-2 in their past 10 games, are last in the Pacific Division and 28th in the NHL standings. Edmonton recalled defenseman David Musil on an emergency basis from the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League on Friday. This starts a three-game homestand, the Oilers’ final one this season.
