After nearly three weeks, fans are going to get the rematch they've been waiting for. Zack Kassian versus Matt Tkachuk.
In case you've been living under a rock or maybe just burrowing in the sand like Matt Tkachuk does, let me explain what went down.
Tkachuk did as Tkachuk does and was a pest on the ice, that's his game and he is excellent at it. His play where he charged as Kassian was rounding the net I felt was exactly that; a charge. Those are highly dangerous plays and the fact that the NHL isn't doing more to crack down on those kinds of plays is concerning to me. I didn't like it.
Just the same as Flames fans took offense to Kassian taking matters into his own hands by ragdolling Tkachuk all over the ice. I understand why Flames fans were unhappy with that. Tkachuk is a star player and a skillless goon like Kassian shouldn't... oh what's that? Kassian has 13 goals at 5 on 5 this year compared to Matt's 12? And Kassian averages about 2 minutes a game less than Tkachuk? Interesting.
I hope Oilers fans and Flames fans are enjoying this back and forth. This is what the Battle of Alberta should be; two teams competing for playoff spots playing meaningful and hard games against one another. If the playoffs started today, Calgary and Edmonton would play each other in the first round. Imagine seven games of this intensity.
---
LINEUP
OILERS
Neal-McDavid-Kassian RNH-Draisaitl-Yamamoto Nygard-Sheahan-Archibald Khaira-Haas-Chiasson
Nurse-Bear Klefbom-Larsson Russell-Benning
Smith
- No official lineup yet from the Oilers but it looks like Khaira will get a chance to prove he belongs in the lineup. This is likely his last chance to prove such. - Matt Benning has been activated and is finally back with the team. Edmonton has an abundance of NHL ready depth on defense and will need to make a decision soon. It's a good problem to have.
FLAMES
Tkachuk - Lindholm - Mangiapane Gaudreau - Monahan - Robinson Lucic - Ryan - Dube Bennett - Backlund - Jankowski
Giordano - Brodie Hanifin - Hamonic Kylington - Andersson
Rittich
3 KEYS TO VICTORY
1.) Colour Within The Lines - There is going to be some chipiness in tonight's game and all eyes will be on Kassian and Tkachuk to see whether or not both players drop the gloves or not. While I respect Kassian for doing what he did last game, it did end up with the Oilers losing as a result. Edmonton needs to play hard but make sure they aren't the ones going over the edge. Especially with Parros and Co watching from above. 2.) Vacation Is Over - This is the Oilers first game back from the All-Star Break and aside from Draisaitl and McDavid, every other Oiler was enjoying some R and R. A break like that is great to let players recoup and heal some of the wounds accumulated over the grueling first half but now it's time to get back at it.
Playing against a Calgary team that played last night against the St Louis Blues (which ended up going to a shootout) is both a blessing and a curse for the Oil. Fatigue will be a factor for the Flames but they've also had a chance to shake off the rust from not playing in over a week. The start will be crucial.
3.) Every Point Matters - With a shootout loss against the Blues, Calgary sits one point ahead of Edmonton in the standings, though the Oilers have two games in hand. Over the next week the Flames and Oilers play each other twice. These are massive games that will greatly affect the standings.
---
FILM OF THE DAY
No preamble is needed. Welcome to Fight Club.