If the playoffs started today, the Edmonton Oilers would play the Calgary Flames

It’s only happened five times before, but if the playoffs ended today the Edmonton Oilers would be squaring off against the Calgary Flames.

The last time the two teams squared off was in 1991 when the Oilers took out the Flames in seven games.

A reinvigorated Battle of Alberta has already come forth this year with the pandemonium surrounding the @Zack Kassian – @Matthew Tkachuk fued that gave reminiscences of the glory days of the 1980’s. Since then though, the games between Edmonton and Calgary haven’t been the same. After all, the two teams separated by only three hours of highway met five times between 1983 and 1991.

These days, Edmonton and Calgary have struggled to keep the battle up and it’s largely due to a lack of story lines between the clubs. But beyond the Kassian-Tkachuk fued, some added heat came in the form of the @James Neal for @Milan Lucic trade, and the Oilers signing @Mike Smith while the @Flames locked up @Cam Talbot.

In an of itself, those gave Oilers and Flames fans much to debate about. Who would be better? Neal or Lucic? Which club won the trade? Could Smith or Talbot regain the prowess they had yesteryear?

The Flames themselves have had their own struggles and controversy this year after a cold start to the year and subsequent Bill Peters incident. They’re a team now well on track under Geoff Ward having gone 14-7-1.

Edmonton, meanwhile, has had ups and downs of their own this year but come into the all-star break red hot winning six of their last eight games securing a tie for the second spot in the packed Pacific Division.

A playoff Battle of Alberta would be absolutely incredible and I’m sure there’s a few fans out there who would travel back and forth for each game in that series.

On Twitter: @zjlaing