GAME THREAD: Game 19/56 - Edmonton Oilers @ Calgary Flames

Who

Edmonton Oilers (10-8-0, 3rd in North Division)

-at-

Calgary Flames (8-7-1, 6th in North Division)

Where & When

Friday, February 19, 2021

Scotiabank Saddledome

Calgary, AB, Canada

7:00 PM MST

Watch & Listen

TV - Sportsnet West

Stream - Sportsnet Now

Radio - 630 CHED

SBN Counterpart: Matchsticks and Gasoline

Let’s. Go.

The Edmonton Oilers, 4-1-0 since the last time these two teams met, are down the QE2 once again to battle the eminently annoying Calgary Flames in first game of a home and home. Mike Smith (4-0-0, 0.938 SV%) is looking likeliest for Edmonton tonight with “Big Save” — heavily sarcastic quotation marks here — David Rittich (0-2-0, 0.868 SV%) supposed to go for the villains.

And So It Goes

Once again it looks like Dave Tippett’s leaving a little in the tank for a later day as both Kris Russell and Slater Koekkoek draw in, once again, at the expense of Caleb Jones. Jones is on an island right now. Kyle Turris will take a seat in favor of James Neal’s re-introduction which means Gaetan Haas keeps his job for at least one more night.

But, Still

As Jonatan Willis noted, Russell and Koekkoek have been outscored 17-6 at 5v5 this year. I am more of a xGF% guy over the long term but coaches have proven to be sensitive to GF% when it comes to lineup decisions. So where’s the sensitivity?!

Three Things To Look For

• Which Mike Smith will the Oilers get tonight? Part of the solution more than the problem so far this season, that might mean he’s due for a little regression in that regard. Anywhere but Calgary.
• Connor McDavid is crushing all comers this season but, if you can believe it, is still due for some puck luck. Imagine?! Jesse Puljujarvi and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins finding a few more finishes will undoubtedly help. But what about when the PP1 clicks again?
• Speaking of the PP, will Tyson Barrie and Alex Chiasson start the game with the top unit? Will they stay there? The odd time you’ll see Puljujarvi slot in to start a PP but that seems to be Plan B so far. Keep an eye out.

LFG.