Arizona Tribune - Oilers defeat Flames outdoors in NHL Heritage Classic

The Oilers collected their first home victory over the season while the Flames saw their losing streak stretch to five games as almost 60,000 fans watched at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium in the battle of Alberta provincial arch-rivals.

Brett Kulak and Zach Hyman gave Edmonton a 2-0 lead with goals in the first 10 minutes before Nazem Kadri answered for the Flames on a power-play goal with 5:05 remaining in the first period.

But the Oilers stretched the lead to 3-1 on Evan Bouchard's goal only 71 seconds later off an assist from Connor McDavid, back after missing two games with an upper-body injury.

Calgary pulled within 3-2 on A.J. Greer's goal with 5:16 remaining in the second period.

But Vincent Desharnais responded for the Oilers with 13:44 remaining in regulation for a 4-2 advantage and Kane added a goal into an empty net with 47 seconds remaining after Calgary lifted goaltender Jacob Markstrom for an extra attacker.

Edmonton improved to 2-5 with one overtime loss while Calgary fell to 2-6-1.

Oilers star McDavid, a 26-year-old Canadian centre in his ninth NHL season, has been the NHL's top scorer the past three seasons and was the NHL's Most Valuable Player in the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons.

N.Mitchell--AT