Their are some new faces in place as we get ready for the first installment of this year's Battle of Alberta.
The first installment of this season's six Battle of Albertas starts tonight and it just so happens to be Edmonton's first game of the season.
"You really don't know what you have until you get a real test" said Oilers new head coach Pat Quinn who's back in the NHL as a head coach for a first time since he was fired by Toronto after the 2005-06 season.
"I had a few treats or cookies from Hockey Canada like the World Juniors but I'm so happy for this opportunity. I want to do something with these young men and help them as much as I can."
This evening will be the first chance to see what kind of impact Quinn has had on an Edmonton team he took over after the firing of Craig MacTavish in April.
"We have our new systems in place and we're excited to start the season" proclaimed Sheldon Souray. "It's really up to us to show what we've got. We're trying to move forward from last year and a win to start the season would be a great way to kick things off."
The Oilers go up against a Flames team that already opened it's season. Calgary won 5-3 on Thursday night at home against Vancouver. "There"s always so much adrenaline and excitement for opening night" is the way Jarome Iginla described the Flames first win. "It was nice to get that under our belt and I know this building (Rexall Place) will be full of emotion tonight."
While the Flames did secure the victory their head coach wasn't thrilled with the way it went down. "We stopped moving our feet and we're a much better team when we're doing the chasing," Brent Sutter explained." I know the building will be emotional tonight but I'd rather focus on our team and not the Oilers."
After tonight the two teams will play again on Thursday in Edmonton.
