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Flames try to continue dominance of Oilers

Dec 10, 2011 - 4:30 PM (Sports Network) - The Flames will try to continue their dominance of the rival Edmonton Oilers tonight, as the Battle of Alberta resumes this evening at Calgary's Saddledome.

Calgary is 2-0 this season against the Oilers and the Flames are riding a seven-game winning streak in the series. The Flames, who are boasting a 7-3-0 record against Northwest Division foes this year, have also taken 14 of 15 and 16 of the last 18 encounters with Edmonton.

Edmonton has also dropped nine straight in Calgary and the Oilers haven't tasted victory at the Saddledome since Oct. 17, 2008.

The Oilers hosted the Flames last Saturday and Calgary skated away with a 5-3 victory. Miikka Kiprusoff made 26 saves to earn the victory and improve his career record against Edmonton to 30-12-2 with a tie.

Calgary followed last Saturday's win over the Oilers with a 5-1 setback the following night in Vancouver, but the Flames have since rebounded with consecutive home wins against Carolina and Colorado. The Flames, who are 7-5-2 on home ice this year, are completing a three-game residency tonight before heading out for four straight on the road.

The Flames have also dominated the recent history with Colorado and Olli Jokinen scored a tie-breaking goal with 4:50 remaining in the third period to lift the Flames to Thursday's 3-2 win over the Avalanche. It was the ninth consecutive victory in the series for Calgary.

Lee Stempniak and Curtis Glencross also scored in the third while Colorado forward T.J. Galiardi served a double-minor for high-sticking. Kiprusoff needed to make just 16 saves for the win.

"Our power play produced tonight, which was very good," said Calgary head coach Brent Sutter.

The Oilers, meanwhile, were able to end a two-game slide as they closed a five-game homestand with a 4-1 win over Colorado. It was just the second win in the last seven games for Edmonton.

Sam Gagner scored twice and added an assist to help the Oilers post the win over the Avalanche. Jordan Eberle had a goal and an assist while Ben Eager also lit the lamp for the Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 28 shots in the win.

"It was a big improvement, a better effort and just way more commitment to the little things we need to do to be successful," said Edmonton head coach Tom Renney.

Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins enter tonight riding six-game point streaks. Eberle has four goals and four assists during his run, while Nugent-Hopkins has three goals and five helpers.

Edmonton has lost five of its last seven road games and is just 5-7-1 as the visiting team this season.