Edmonton Oilers (18-13-0, 3rd in North) @
Calgary Flames (14-12-3, 5th North)
17 March 2021
Scotiabank Saddledome
7 PM MST
TV: Sportsnet
Radio: 630 CHED
BACK AND FORTH
A listless first period gave way to some back-and-forth play from both teams before the Flames would eventually emerge victorious by a 4-3 margin over the Oilers on Monday night. Mike Smith turned aside 23 of 27 shots by the Flames, but was frozen by a puck in the trapezoid midway through the third. Edmonton would fight back when Leon Draisaitl would knot it back up at 3-all early in the third, but Noah Hanifin would score just over a minute later to help seal the deal for the Flames.
Edmonton looks to split the two game series with Calgary with a win tonight. Can the Oilers extinguish the Flames tonight?
Let’s go to the tape.
THE OILERS ARE SAYING
“I think if we limit our mistakes, it limits their chances and their goals...Unfortunately for us, we made more mistakes than them tonight, and they capitalized on them”
That’s Oilers forward Josh Archibald on his club’s 4-3 loss.
“Archie” had a beauty goal that ended up bringing the Oilers to within one when he received a lovely little pass from Devin Shore late in the second period. Love to see the secondary players chip in when needed.
THE FLAMES ARE SAYING
“It’s fun. Winning is good,”
That’s Flames forward Dillon Dube on his club’s 4-3 win over the Oilers on Monday night.
Working to confirm the fun winning part. Dube had the game’s first goal and added an assist to the mix.
HAVE SOME OF THIS
- Leon looks like he’s got about three inches of give on this shot. Just a ridiculous goal from one of the greatest players in the world.
- It’s going to be a big game tonight. The Flames are riding high, winning three in a row since Darryl Sutter has been named head coach. The Oilers probably should have won on Monday, but a bad pinch by Ethan Bear, a goal where Mike Smith got caught out in no man’s land, and a third goal that Smith just didn’t see coming with Nugent-Hopkins out in front helped seal the deal for Calgary. Things will look to normalize if Edmonton does their jobs tonight. If Calgary wins, look out.
- CHANGE IT UP: After a period of sludge hockey that ended with the Oilers getting just four shots, Tippett juggled the lines a bit and got some response. 97 and 29 probably ought to run their own lines again with 93 being up top. There’s going to be plenty of movement likely for tonight’s lines. Zack Kassian could be back after being out for a while with an upper body injury. James Neal has been sent to the taxi squad and will likely be out. Dominik Kahun is likely to draw in for Neal, and I wouldn’t expect to see Jujhar Khaira after his nasty spill during a fight. Tyson Barrie is questionable tonight, Evan Bouchard would draw in if he’s unable to go.
- Coach Tippett is returning to Mike Smith (9-3-0, .921 SV%, 1 SO / 2.31 GAA) to start in between the pipes tonight. The Flames will return to Jacob Markstrom (11-7-2, .910 SV% / 2.69 GAA / 2 SO). It will be a big game for Smith, who will look to rebound after Monday’s loss.
- Finally, the Oilers really need these two points. A Flames win in regulation would bring them to within 3 points of the Oilers. If the Oilers can take care of business, they’d be within a pair of the division leading Leafs.