Mikael Backlund in action with the Calgary Flames. Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sport

Mikael Backlund, the Calgary Flames captain, landed a controversial slash on the Edmonton Oilers’ goalie Stuart Skinner during last night’s Battle for Alberta.

The Oilers aren’t off to a great start of the season. Once again this year, they’re coming off a long playoff run, and are struggling in the first games of the new season. In three games, they are yet to earn their first win, but last night, at some point, it looked like they would get it.

Connor McDavid and the Oilers received the Calgary Flames at the Rogers Place for the first Battle for Alberta of the 2024-25 NHL season.

Early in the first period, the Oilers managed to get a 1-0 lead with a goal from newcomer Jeff Skinner.

 

Watch it here:

 

 

Then, the Oilers scored two more goals, which were all overturned by the referees for goalie interference and offside.

Check both goals in the following videos:

 

 

 

 

Towards the half of the game, the Oilers could’ve been leading 3-0 if the Flames hadn’t won both coach’s challenges.

Things took a turn when the Flames scored four unanswered goals to win 4-1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the game, an incident occurred involving Stuart Skinner and Mikael Backlund, showing that Flames players got inside the goalie’s head.

Skinner was controlling the puck behind the net when Backlund came in fast with the forecheck and decided to slash the goalie behind the leg, where they don’t wear a lot of protection.

 

 

While the slash is controversial, it looks like Skinner embellishes his reaction to get the referees’ attention.

So far, in the two games he played, Skinner allowed eight goals and was replaced during a game one time. His numbers aren’t good, with a 0.805 save percentage and a 5.40 goals against average.

He’ll need to find his game soon if the Oilers don’t want to repeat what happened last season when the organization fired head coach Jay Woodcroft because of a poor start to the season.