Why the Battle of Canada Is Well Worth a Bet

The Battle of Canada is a famous hockey rivalry. Taking place between Alberta's two main teams, it has the whole of Canada gripped in this long term feud

Every year, the NHL’s hottestThere are occasions when we here at ReadyBetGo want to bring you interesting facts about the gambling industry  When something catches our eye, we will publish it for your enjoyment. 
  games often arise not from provincial rivalries but from within the same city. The Battle of Canada has citizens from Ontario to British Columbia hooked, as these two Alberta-based teams go head to head. Both reside on opposite sides of Calgary, which has also made them fiercely competitive. We discuss the biggest matchups and why this association dates back so far.

The Formative Battle of Alberta Years

The Battle of Alberta takes place between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames. The former joined the World Hockey Association in 1972. By 1979, this team became part of the newly merged NHL and WHA league. The latter had a slightly different path, originally being the Atlanta Flames. They moved to Calgary in 1980 and had rebranded with the city's name by the 79-80 season.

These new kids on the block obviously riled long-term Edmonton fans, and this was only made worse when it was followed by a spectacular run for the Flames. They made it to the Stanley Cup semis and achieved 39 wins and 92 points in their first year, higher than Edmonton. The pressure was on.

Making a Bet

Luckily, those making sports bets on hockey or any other sport have a range of choices at their disposal. The speed with which these can be made and executed is now enhanced with the use of crypto sportsbooks. With just a low deposit, players can benefit from a no-wager clean bet. This is based on a a 50% Free Bet up to $250 through the BetOnline bonus review.

For people who have never bet on the NHL before, this is a great way to start. As free bets dont cut into your bankroll, they give you a great way to try out a new market without cutting into your funds.

NHL pages usually involve a list of that day's games, or upcoming ones. Plus money prices will show how much you stand to make on a $100 bet. Of course, you can bet less than this, and the odds are changed accordingly. Prices that are minus money show how much you need to wager to potentially win $100. 

There are three main types of bets. The first is known as the moneyline. This is the simplest and is a straight-up bet on who will win.

Second are total bets, also known as over/under betting. These are bets that the total goals will be over or under a given amount. If a wager was placed on 6.5 goals being scored, then seven or more, or six or fewer, must be scored to win the bet.

Lastly, there is the spread. This is a bet on the amount a favourite must win a game by. Usually, this equates to -1.5, but it can change for real outside games. This means the winning team must win by 2 or more goals for the bet to be successful. 

Heating Up the Battle of Alberta

Never has the rivalry been as fierce as it has been over the last ten years. In 2022, it sent the playoff series into a frenzy. Despite being won by the Oilers, it was never a done deal. They lost game one and came back from a 3–1 deficit in game two.

The boot has been on the other foot. Many fans remember how the Flames hammered Edmonton in a 9-5 drumming. Freshly acquiring Derick Brassard and Brett Kulak in the Oilers camp, it was not enough, and the Flames' Draisaitl scored a hat trick midway through the second period.

Other external factors could amp up the excitement of this local derby in the next year. With Alberta sports betting due to be introduced in 2026, it will be possible for people to wager on the outcome of the event, making bets from the convenience of a mobile platform. By doing so, with some of the world's biggest and most trusted providers, fans will be able to benefit from introductory offers such as free bets. This has the potential to not only bring more enjoyment, but it could also bring more spectators.

Essential Squad Improvements

In recent years, the Oilers have established themselves as one of the foremost offensive teams. They ranked third in the NHL in the run-up to 2026, averaging 3.4 goals per game. They had a league-best of 34.29% of opportunities converted. However, they have been poor defensively, and this is something that will need to be rectified going into the coming season.

The Flames had quite a lacklustre run. They had an average of 2.6 goals per game and were letting in an average of 3 per game. This was a recurring problem, mixing a lack of offence with a leaking defence. However, both teams had been dogged by injury.

To really keep this rivalry heated, both teams need to address these issues in the coming year. With additions that will create depth in the squads, the Battle for Alberta could enter a whole new chapter.