Is it 'Anybody but Edmonton' for Flames fans as the Oilers take on the Canucks?
While the Calgary Flames are focusing on the NHL Entry Draft, the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks are set to duke it out in the second-round series.
But will Flames fans jump on the Connor McDavid bandwagon and support the Oilers as they take on the Canucks?
"I hate Edmonton with a passion," said fan Carson Devine.
"I was a big (Elias) Lindholm guy, so I kind of have to root for the ex Flames over anybody on Edmonton."
Elias Lindholm was traded to Vancouver from Calgary earlier this year for Andrei Kuzmenko and several depth pieces, including draft picks.
TSN Calgary reporter Salim Valji says he believes fans have an easier time accepting a Canucks series victory, because of the close ties the two organizations seemingly have.
"Lindholm was really good for a while here. He was a lot better than people expected," said Valji.
"(Nikita) Zadorov came here unheralded and really developed his game."
Zadorov was also traded to the Canucks earlier in the season, with both players picking up goals in the first round against Nashville.
"I think the reaction on (social media) is to root for chaos," said Valji. "But I think fans are engaged. I think it's anyone but Edmonton at this point."
Isaac Martin is an Oilers fan in Calgary.
"It's rough, It's scary sometimes," said Martin.
"I went to the (Red Mile) a lot. I wore the Oilers jersey one time, a couple years back, and I could never wear it again."
He says with the Flames missing the playoffs, rivalries are not quite as heated.
"I was actually working with the Flames this year, just as the ice crew," he said.
"But I was actually an Edmonton Oilers fan, so I'm actually rooting for the Oilers right now. I feel like it is their year."
A phrase Martin says Oilers fans have been saying every year.
For other hockey fans, there are more personal connections to the remaining eight teams involved.
"I definitely don't want Edmonton to win," said Flames fan Nick Jones.
"I'm going for Dallas because a good friend of mine plays for Dallas now, but used to be a Flames player, so just going for Dallas."
That player being defenseman Chris Tanev, who left the Flames before the trade deadline, and trails in his series 1-0 to Colorado Avalanche, who have Calgary's own Stanley Cup Champion Cale Makar.
With the Flames out of the post season, the unofficial watch party pub for the Edmonton Oilers is, fans say, The Pig and Duke on 12 Avenue S.W.
"I'd like to say 50/50, but I'm going to say it's probably more 60/40 for the Oilers," said general manager Kirk Watson.
Watson, a Canucks fan himself, says the playoffs have been immense for business.
"We're hoping for a long series," he said.
"It's huge for a business, our (reservation) book is packed tonight, where we're bringing in extra staff. It's a wing night to begin with, so we're usually always busy."
Canucks and Oilers will play game one Wednesday, and game two Friday, before the series shifts to the provincial capital in Edmonton on Sunday for games three and four.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Helicopter carrying Iran's president found by rescue teams: Iran official
Rescuers on Monday found a helicopter that was carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which had crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran the day before.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Ex-partner charged with first-degree murder after 55-year-old woman killed in Montreal
Less than 24 hours after Montreal's 12th homicide investigation began, Montreal police confirmed that a 55-year-old woman's death in St. Michel is the island's 13th homicide. The woman's ex-spouse has been charged with first-degree murder.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
VIDEO Born without front legs, this dog has been inspiring the world for 3 years: Dresden farm owner
A sanctuary dedicated to animals with disabilities is celebrating the third birthday of one of its most popular residents.
Toxic drugs circulating in northeastern Ont., police say
Canada’s largest First Nations police service, the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service issued a community safety alert as extremely toxic drugs are likely circulating in many of the communities it serves.