Oilers, Flames arrive at Heritage Classic in team uniforms

Considering we're two days away from Halloween, it only makes sense that the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames came to the Heritage Classic in killer costumes.

The Oilers came to the outdoor classic as oil rig workers, while the Flames represented their city and its brawl in overalls and cowboy hats.

Edmonton's uniform is also an extended metaphor for their goals right now. The Oilers, viewed by many as legitimate contenders for the Cup this year, sit 31st in the standings with a 1-5-1 record.

“We're going to work hard to get a win tonight and then go out there,” Oilers defenseman Matthias Ekholm told reporters before the game while putting on his pregame workout.

Seven games into the season, Edmonton is 26th in goals per game (2.43), 30th in goals per game (4.29) and 31st in team save percentage (.860). Oilers fans booed their team during Thursday night's 3-0 loss to the New York Rangers.

“It's easy to point fingers. Everybody has to look in the mirror and be a lot better,” Oilers guard Darnell Nurse told reporters after the loss.

While the St. Louis Blues were being shut out 3-0 on Thursday, the Flames had their own fans in a frenzy. With a 2-5-1 record, Calgary also sits in the basement of the league standings, one spot above Edmonton (30th). Entering the game, Calgary ranks 29th in goals per game (2.13), 25th in goals per game (3.50) and 28th in team save percentage (.878).

“I want to apologize to our fans, we're playing (expletive) right now,” Flames defenseman Zadorov told reporters Thursday night.

Also, Connor McDavid returned to the Oilers after missing the previous two games with an upper body injury.