‘They don’t like us, we don’t like them:’ Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl talks about the Battle of Alberta

“I think what changed it before that, we were, I think it was 7-2 we came all the way back to 7-6. We had chances to tie it up late too. I think that put a little bit of doubt in their mind maybe that you got to be careful with this team. We did it against against Colorado game one. We just continued to play, play our game and in game two (against Calgary) I think we were down 2-0. They completely outplayed us and were clearly the better team. I think we scored one and found our legs and got going a little bit. I think we just really found our game, game three and four at home. We really played well and they really didn’t get much, especially game three. I think we really dominated. It was a very fun series.”

“I never had the feeling we were in trouble either. Obviously there’s moments in the game, especially game two when you’re down 2-0, you’re like ‘oh man, we better not let this get to 3-0,’ but I think we just got rolling a little bit when we made it 2-1. We just got into a groove and just played out game.”

Draisaitl: “I think there definitely is some extra spice there. Especially we finished one and two in our division. With the history of both organizations going on, I think there was a stat it was the first time since 1990 or something the Oilers and Flames faced each other. The media can hype it up a lot too, right?”

Friedman: “And the fans, the fans. You could tell it means to the Oilers fans.”

Draisaitl: “Oh yeah, big time. Both cities, right? You could tell Calgary too. There was just something in the air and I think those are the most fun games. There was so much tension for two weeks. There was so much going on. Every game was so hyped up. It was so much fun being a part of it. Obvoiusly, it made it so much better being on the good side of it, no question. The last couple years, the history with Kassian, Tkachuk — all those things. There was so much little pieces going on that just made it all very, very enjoyable.”

“Well, now you got Kadri and Kane going at it. (laughs) I don’t want to say going at it, who knows. They seem like two guys that will seem like they get into a scuffle every once in a while. I think it’s just two competitive teams going at it for the most part. Two really good teams. That’s a really good hockey team, right? They don’t like us, we don’t like them. I think that’s essentially what makes it most exciting: it’s two competitive teams going after the same thing.”