ilers: @ :flames: PreviewSeason Series -- Four games played so far in the Battle of Alberta, and all have gone to the Flames. On Monday, the Oilers struck early but couldn't keep the momentum going as Rene Bourque turned in a hat trick in a 4-1 Flames' win.
Big Story -- Whether it's Leafs-Habs, Wings-Avs, Rangers-Islanders or Devils-Flyers, rivalries are the spice of life in the NHL, and the Battle of Alberta is no exception, and they don't have long to cool down from the last one. Both teams went into Monday's game in long slumps -- naturally one continued -- but both played and won Wednesday night, so someone is coming out of this one with a little winning streak.
Who's Hot ?:-- Conroy's linemate Rene Bourque had the natural hat trick in Edmonton and continued the momentum with a goal and an assist against the Kings for a total of five points in his last two games.
"I don't really know what it is," he said. "A few games before, I had chances that weren't going in. Now they're going in for me."
O'Sullivan's two goals make it four points in the last three games for the 24-year-old center.
Injury Report -- Oilers forward Ales Hemsky is out for the season following left shoulder surgery. Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin (back) and forwards Mike Comrie (mononucleosis), Fernando Pisani (ulcerative colitis) and Marc Pouliot (sports hernia) are also on injured reserve. Calgary defenseman Cory Sarich has been out since Nov. 23. No timetable has been set for his return.
