Buckle up. Tonight the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers will be jumpstarting their regular season with a game two Battle of Alberta.
Jack Campbell, MacKenzie Weegar, Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdeau — all four have an opportunity to endear themselves to their fanbase.
Statement Game While the Flames managed to get to the second round last playoffs, they paid the price. Chris Tanev and Oliver Kylington both had separated shoulders. Noah Hanifin had been dealing with lingering injuries since an April 28 game against the Nashville Predators — arguably the most physical game of the season for both participants. Tkachuk had a broken hand, Mangiapane broken wrist. Lucic an injured shoulder and Jacob Markstrom had issues pushing off of his right leg.
In other words, tonight’s game may have a different dynamic. Calgary had stopped playing to their identity in the playoffs for whatever reason. Expect different results tonight.
With three above average two-way veteran centers, Oilers players may find it harder to find the back of the net. That is, as long as Jacob Markstrom has found himself in better health. The 6’6… 32 year old has struggled against the Oilers in recent history.
Markstrom vs Oilers Since Joining the Flames GP: 13 6-7-0 Sv%: .884 GAA: 3.41
Edit: It sounds like Markstrom is still dealing with illness. Vladar starts tonight. Probably for the best.
Kadri vs McDavid This is a rivalry with a prologue. The two have had some interesting showdowns in the past. Nazem Kadri has a proven history of getting under the Oilers star’s skin. Expect more of that tonight.
Lacking Punch Many pundits seem to think that the Zach Kassian to Arizona trade was a win.
To the Coyotes Zach Kassian 2022 1st round pick (29) 2024 3rd round pick 2025 2nd round pick
To the Oilers 2022 1st round pick (32)
Despite it being a hilariously bad way for Ken Holland to get rid of the contract that he himself inked, the subtraction of both Zach Kassian and Josh Archibald leaves the Edmonton Oilers with very little pushback if things start to get ugly.
Darnell Nurse, who has already been fined for a dirty interference hit this season, and Evander Kane, who hasn’t fought in two and a half years, are their options.
Oilers GM Ken Holland may be on the market for a scrapper in the near future. Wayne Simmonds out of Toronto would be a fit. Leafs GM Kyle Dubas reportedly put out a memo recently that he is available for a very low price. Just wants somewhere to play a regular NHL shift.
The Calgary Flames should be pushing the envelope as often as possible in the physicality department.
Here are the projected lines for tonight. Courtesy of DailyFaceoff.com
Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli Dube-Kadri-Mangiapane Coleman-Backlund-Lewis Lucic-Rooney-Ritchie
Hanifin-Andersson Weegar-Tanev Zadorov-Stone
Vladar Markstrom
Here are the Oilers morning skate lines per Reid Wilkins. @ReidWilkins
Hyman-McDavid-Puljujarvi Kane-Draisaitl-Yamamoto Holloway-RNH-Foegele Malone-McLeod-Ryan
Nurse-Ceci Kulak-Barrie Murray-Bouchard
Campbell Skinner
Game time is 8:00pm. Broadcast on CBC and Sportsnet in Canada. Grab a drink and a snack. This is going to be a great game.
Trevor Neufeld
@Trevor_Neufeld
Stats via nhl.com, hockeyfights.com and naturalstattrick.com.