Before the game, the Oilers named Gretzky Partner and Vice Chairman of Oilers' Entertainment Group.
The Flames are hoping to spoil the party.
"This is obviously what draws the most attention here in Alberta, the Edmonton-Calgary rivalry, so it's exciting to get it started right away," said Oilers center Connor McDavid, at 19 named the youngest captain in NHL history on Oct. 5. "They are similar to us, they have a lot of young players and have a pretty good back end as well. They're expecting to have a good year and they have a goaltender now [Brian Elliott], and I think they're going to be a very good team."
The Oilers and Flames each underwent major changes in the offseason.
Edmonton's key additions include left wing Milan Lucic, forward Jesse Puljujarvi and defenseman Adam Larsson.
Calgary has a new coach, Glen Gulutzan, a new goaltender, Elliott, and added forwards Troy Brouwer and Kris Versteeg.
"There is a lot of excitement and you have to bottle that up and use it in the right way," Lucic said. "It's always good and fun to play with emotion. It's the first game for me being part of the rivalry of the Battle of Alberta. You know how heated those rivalries can get, especially with everything else going on tonight. It's a great opportunity for us to have a great start to open up a new building with new players and a new captain."
The Flames will have forward Johnny Gaudreau in the lineup for the first time this season. Gaudreau signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract with Calgary on Monday.
Oilers coach Todd McLellan was happy to see Gaudreau back with the Flames.
"Our game needs the best players in it, our rivalry needs it and our fans deserve to see the best players, not only on our team, but on their team," McLellan said. "We need to be pushed and tested early in the year to see if we need to adjust and adapt. He [Gaudreau] is in the lineup, that's the way it should be."
McLellan coached Gaudreau on Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey 2016 and has a new appreciation for him.
"I had a pretty good appreciation for him before," McLellan said. "His effect on Team North America was very positive. He has an energy and a passion about him for the game that rubs off on other players. He's a very dynamic offensive guy and we're well aware of that. I think when you're around him a little bit more, you may appreciate it more and that team was special."
