Kassian downplays heat of Oilers-Flames rematch: 'This isn't the '80s'

Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian is downplaying the chance of fireworks in Wednesday's highly anticipated rematch with Matthew Tkachuk and the Calgary Flames.

"Hey, listen. I thought I got enough good shots in there," Kassian told Sportsnet's Mark Spector, referring to the last meeting between the two clubs.

"This isn't the '80s. We're not just going to line brawl. Look at the standings. It's going to be a hard-fought, intense game. But we really have to play between the lines."

After the Jan. 11 incident, Kassian - who received a two-game suspension - and Tkachuk got into a highly publicized war of words, and even though Kassian's stance appears to have mellowed, he won't pass up a chance to take a shot at his nemesis if it's within the rules.

"I thought, what happened on the ice, I handled it for the most part," Kassian said. "I got punishment, and that's that. Obviously we don't like each other. Obviously, if Tkachuk has the puck and I can hit him clean, I'm not going to pass on it, right? But that's the game of hockey. I don't think anyone is going to pass on a hit - especially in the Battle of Alberta."

The Oilers enter Wednesday's game one point back of the Flames for second place in the Pacific Division with two games in hand. The two teams will face each other for the second time this week on Saturday night.