The much-anticipated Battle of Alberta turned into a one-sided showcase for the Edmonton Oilers, who thoroughly outclassed the Calgary Flames in a 5-1 victory at Rogers Place on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. From the opening puck drop, the Oilers imposed their will, leaving their provincial rivals looking overwhelmed and out of answers.
A Clinic from the Oilers' Stars
The game was highlighted by spectacular performances from Edmonton's top players. Connor McDavid orchestrated the offense with a stunning five-assist night, continuing an incredible personal run. This marks his fourth game with four or more points in his last eleven outings, bringing his total to 31 points over that dominant stretch.
Meanwhile, Leon Draisaitl ended an eight-game goal drought in spectacular fashion, netting a hat trick. His three-goal performance was historic, moving him past Oilers legend Glenn Anderson and into third place on the franchise's all-time goal-scoring list with 419 career goals. Zach Hyman and defenseman Evan Bouchard also contributed significantly, each adding two points to the scoresheet.
Complete Domination in All Phases
The Oilers' control was comprehensive. Their power play unit was ruthlessly efficient, converting three times on its first four opportunities. They sliced through the neutral zone with ease, generating odd-man rushes at will and maintaining relentless offensive pressure. The shot count told the story of territorial dominance, with Edmonton holding a 39-17 advantage in shots late in the third period.
The lopsided nature of the game was such that only the stellar play of Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf prevented a true blowout. Without his efforts, the score could have reached double digits, sparing the Flames further embarrassment on the night.
Flames' Spirit Broken Early
For Calgary, the contest was a harsh reality check. Any confidence built during a recent run of success was shattered, revealing a significant gap between the two Alberta clubs. The Flames appeared defeated well before the final horn, with players showing visible frustration. This culminated in a 10-minute misconduct and a game misconduct for defenseman MacKenzie Weegar in the second period after he tapped his stick against the glass in protest of a penalty call.
The victory solidifies the Oilers' strong start to the season, improving their record to 4-0 when wearing their alternate third jerseys, a stretch in which they have outscored opponents by a combined score of 26-10. For the Flames, the game was less a battle and more a demonstration of the work required to compete with the NHL's elite, as embodied by their northern rivals on this night.
