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Prior to the start of this season, the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers had very different expectations. The Oilers fan base was expecting the teams first playoff berth since the 2005-2006 season while the Flames were entering a franchise rebuild after trading cornerstone Jarome Iginla at the trade deadline the previous season and losing long-time starting goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff to retirement. On Saturday night, the Flames skated to an 8-1 romp over the Oilers in Edmonton, leaving many to wonder which team was further ahead in the race for the playoffs next season. Not surprisingly, the Flames currently sit well outside of a playoff spot with most fans showing the patience and support for the rebuild that president of hockey operations and interim general manager Brian Burke has asked for. The Oilers, on the other hand, now sit last in the Western Conference, six points behind the Flames and mathematically eliminated from the playoffs with a fan base fed up with a fifth straight losing season. President of hockey operations Kevin Lowe pronounced the team to be "poised for greatness" last season, yet that greatness remains to be seen. With both team already looking toward next season, the question in the Battle of Alberta is which team will make the playoffs first: the Flames or the Oilers? On paper, it would appear the advantage is with the Oilers. The team has three former first-overall draft picks on their roster and two other first-round picks in Sam Gagner and Jordan Eberle. Their goaltending tandem is set for next season with Ben Scrivens and Viktor Fasth and the team has their 2013 first-round pick, Darnell Nurse, developing in the OHL. However, the Oilers recent struggles has surrounded the team with question marks, including entertaining thoughts of trading one of the young stars to meet another need. The Flames appear to be on a much steadier course, trusting in Burke to put together a team that will enter the playoffs in the near future. Burkes history with rebuilding the Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs inspires confidence that, with time, the team will reach the playoffs. Burke also put the finishing touches on the Anaheim Ducks that propelled them to a Stanley Cup. "I think I add a value. Ive been able to fix just about every team Ive worked for, sometimes quicker than others." Burke said when he was introduced as a member of Flames organization. Burke also inspired confidence with his 2013 first-round draft pick Sean Monahan. Monahan is second on the Flames in goals this season with 19 and fifth on the team in total points with 31. Both the Oilers and Flames will likely be in the draft lottery this season with a chance to select first overall, a disappointment for Edmonton and an expectation for Calgary. "Im an impatient guy. We have to do some bold things to move this team forward in a rapid fashion. We have to a better job arming our coaches and our core players with a group to get us to a highly-competitive level," Craig MacTavish said when he was introduced was the Oilers general manager last season. Moving forward, the Battle of Alberta may be turning into a race to see which team will make the playoffs first. Will the Flames steady rebuild pay off with a post-season entrance before the Oilers find a solution to their recent woes? Or will the Oilers embarrassment of young talent come together and deliver the playoff appearance fans are growing restless for? So, which team will make the playoffs first: the Oilers or Flames? As always, its Your! Call. Corey Crawford Jersey . Toronto announced the deal with the restricted free agent on Saturday. The terms were not disclosed. Brandon Saad Jersey .75 million contract for the 2014 season and avoided arbitration. The team announced the agreement on Tuesday. http://www.authenticblackhawkspro.com/Stan-mikita-blackhawks-jersey/ . Top-seeded Djokovic, who is making only his second appearance this year after reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, was a 6-3, 6-3 winner over 54th-ranked Istomin of Uzbekistan. "It wasnt as easy as the scoreline indicates," said Djokovic, who has won in Dubai on four occasions. Chris Chelios Jersey .FIFA says it is relaxing the rule which forced match officials to leave its international list at the end of the year they turned 45. Pierre Pilote Jersey . - The Detroit Lions have placed tight end Brandon Pettigrew on injured reserve, ending his season.EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have signed defensive tackle Tom Johnson. The deal was done Thursday. The 29-year-old Johnson spent the last three seasons as a backup with the New Orleans Saints, playing in 40 games plus four more contests in the playoffs while totalling five sacks. Johnson started his pro career in 2006 as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Mississippi, but he was cut by the Indianapolis Colts. Then he spent time in NFL Europe, the Arena Football League and the Canadian Football League before finally appearing in an NFL game in 2011. The addition of Johnson, likely to backup last years top draft pick Sharrif Floyd, will probably mean the end of an 11-season run in Minnesota by Kevin Williams, who became a free agent.dddddddddddd Meanwhile, free agent defensive end Corey Wootton has also agreed to terms with the Vikings. Wootton and his agent, Mike McCartney, tweeted the agreement on Thursday night. Wootton spent the first four seasons of his career with the division rival Chicago Bears. Wootton has played all 16 games each of the last two seasons when he combined for 10 sacks. He had three sacks last season. Wootton has a place in Vikings lore. He was the defender who drove Brett Favre into the frozen turf at TCF Bank Stadium in 2010. The hit gave Favre a concussion that prevented the quarterback from playing in the final two games of his career. Wootton says in his tweet that he is "excited to start a new chapter" in Minnesota. 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