In the 1980s, the Calgary Flames came a long way in a short period of time. They were a scrappy up-and-coming team when they arrived in Calgary in 1980, making it to the third round of the playoffs in their first season after relocation. The primary reason the Flames didn’t have more success, and arguably one of the big reasons they did have success, are the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers were a force to be reckoned with during the ’80s. Not only that, they were the most frequent roadblock for the Flames: three times during the decade the team saw their postseason end at the hands of Edmonton.