GAME PREVIEW: Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames

Edmonton Oilers (23-21-3) (5th, Pacific)

Calgary Flames (31-13-5) (1st, Pacific)

8 PM MST

Rogers Place

TV: CBC / Sportsnet

Radio: 630 CHED

SB Nation Opponent: Matchsticks and Gasoline

PROVINCIAL TOWNS, YOU JOG ROUND

It’s the Battle of Alberta, and both Calgary and Edmonton have playoff implications. The Oilers are sniffing around a wild card berth; they host Calgary trying to knock off the Pacific leading Flames. Can Edmonton keep pace in the Pacific?

Let’s go to the tape.

The Oilers are saying

“It just kind of presented itself, and I need to be more of a shooter..so I’m just trying to focus on that right now. It’s nice when it pays off.”

Source

That’s Jujhar Khaira after scoring a goal in Wednesday’s win over Vancouver

Edmonton took a 3-2 victory in the fifth round of a shootout. Alex Chiasson scored the winner in round five of the shootout. Khaira scored his first goal in 13 games.

The Flames are saying

“The guy,...does it all”

Source

That’s Flames forward Sam Bennett on foward Derek Ryan

Derek Ryan had two assists in Calgary’s 6-4 win over Detroit last night.

Calgary is on the road after hosting Detroit last night. The Oilers can’t ask for much more.

HAVE SOME OF THIS

• Oilers are the clear underdog tonight. Calgary hosted Detroit last night, and the Oilers need to take advantage of a team playing two games in two nights.
• Calgary is killing it in the Pacific. How do they do it? They’re second in the league in goals scored with 3.71 GPG. They’re eighth overall in goals allowed at 2.84 GPG. They’re eighth on the powerplay at 24%. The Oilers can’t afford to give up the man advantage to the Flames tonight.
• Can we talk about the Pacific here? The Canucks took care of Buffalo last night, they have 50 points and are hovering around the second wild card position. The Oilers and Ducks are tied at 49 points. Arizona is at 46 points. I don’t think anyone thinks Edmonton has a shot at the top three in the Pacific this year, but they can make some noise with a win tonight.
• NET GAINS: David Rittich is in for Calgary tonight (17-4-4, .917 SV% / 2.50 GAA / 1 SO). I’m figuring the Oilers will roll with Mikko Koskinen (14-8-1, .915SV% / 2.65 GAA / 3 SO)
• SICK BAY: Andrej Sekera (ankle) Oscar Klefbom (finger) and Alex Petrovic (concussion) are out for the Oilers. Calgary will be missing defencemen Jusso Valimaki (ankle) and Michael Stone (arm)