Calgary Flames captain Mikael Backlund makes massive dirty move on Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner

Last night began the 2024-25 chapter of the Battle for Alberta, between the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames. While most experts and analysts believe the Oilers would be in a great position to win, and the Flames would have a tough season this year, the opposite is currently unfolding.

Since the season started, the Oilers haven't won a game yet, tallying a 0-3 record, while the Flames won their first three games this year.

Following a run to the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals last year, it looks like the Oilers are once again back on their old habits. Last year, they had a terrible record at the beginning of the season, which led to Jay Woodcroft's firing.

Last night, the Oilers saw two of their goals overturned to let the Flames get away with a 4-1 victory. Edmonton's defense couldn't stop the Flames, while the forwards couldn't get the upper hand on the Flames' goalie Dan Vladar.

On the other side of the ice, the Flames didn't give any chance to Stuart Skinner. Anthony Mantha, Rasmus Andersson, Connor Zary, and Justin Kirkland all managed to beat him. It looked like the Flames players were inside Skinner's head.

An incident occurred during the game that saw the Flames captain Mikael Backlund slashing Skinner behind his net, marking a turn in Skinner's performance.

Backlund came close to Skinner at full speed before giving him a slash behind the leg.

Watch how it went down here:

Backlund wasn't penalized on the play, and Skinner was able to stay in the game.

The rivalry between both teams is likely to reach another level, especially if the Flames have a competitive team this year.

As for the Oilers, they'll look to win their first game of the season tomorrow against the Philadelphia Flyers.