December has a funny way of sorting teams. Some stick around. Some slide. And some, like the Edmonton Oilers right now, are finally looking like themselves again. Happens every season, it seems. Tuesday night against the Calgary Flames was not subtle. It wasn’t polite. It was loud, fast and a bit messy. But that’s what the Battle for Alberta should feel like. Right?
Most of all, it was another reminder of what happens when Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl decide they’ve had enough of easing into a season. These guys are nothing short of amazing. And their team won the match 5-1.
Quick hit #1: Is this the best McDavid and Draisaitl we’ve seen?
There are nights you admire them, and there are nights you shake your head. This was the second kind. The puck barely touched their sticks before it moved into a dangerous spot. The power play seemed automatic. McDavid collected five points, giving him 30 in his last 11 games, and Draisaitl passed Glenn Anderson on the Oilers’ all-time goals list – not exactly a coincidental milestone.
For a long time, Calgary didn’t play badly. They simply couldn’t keep up. When those two are in this kind of rhythm, the ice tilts, and everyone knows it.
Quick Hit #2: The emotion of the flames was great, until it wasn’t
The Flames were ready to push back, and to their credit. Kevin Bahl’s goal on Zach Hyman was heavy and dangerous, and Trent Frederic did what is expected of teammates. That’s how respect works for a winning team. But the line between fire and frustration is thin.
Calgary crossed the emotional line far too often. The punishments piled up. MacKenzie Weegar’s unsportsmanlike call felt like a boil-over moment. It was stupid to sit there banging on the glass, but he did it anyway. Threw it away. Against this power play from the Oilers, that’s gasoline on an already blazing fire.
Quick hit #3: December changed the story of the Oilers again
This was one of those matches that changes the feel of the rankings. Edmonton has found its way back, and suddenly they’re back in it. The big names are doing the damage, but the confidence seems real this time. You felt it in the building. This wasn’t relief – it was confidence.
There was never a chance the Oilers wouldn’t win this game. “I thought it was as good as it’s been,” McDavid said. “Pretty solid all around, special teams were great, generated five-on-five and didn’t give up much. Goaltender played well… lots of things to like.” Draisaitl added: “We’ve been playing good hockey, consistently good hockey. Everyone’s doing their part, everyone’s doing their part, everyone’s doing their part. If we get to that point, we’ll be a tough team to deal with.”
Final thoughts on the Battle of Alberta
Another chapter awaits in Calgary on Saturday, and no one expects it to settle down. Until then, Edmonton can head into the break feeling pretty solid about things.
Related: A Man Scorned: We’ve Never Seen Connor McDavid Like This
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