Tonight is the last time the Oilers and Flames will face off in the regular season but hopefully it isn't the last time we see these two teams this year. It's been far too many years since fans of both teams have been gifted the chance to see their provincial rival in the post-season. Both teams have had their fair share of mediocre years and disappointments but it would be great for the game for that to finally be over.
Calgary has been a surprise this season with their stellar play, strong defense, great 5 on 5 play and a brilliant season by Jacob Markstrom. The Oilers started the season red hot but fell back to earth and plummeted due to the uninspiring coaching of Dave Tippett. Under Jay Woodcroft the Oilers once again are looking like a legitimate team.
As of today it seems that Calgary will play against one of the Wild Card teams, such as the Preds, Stars, or even the Golden Knights in the first round while it seems almost certain that the Edmonton Oilers will play against the LA Kings. To see these teams face off in the post-season, it would almost surely have to be in the second round.
Seeing as I'm an Oilers blogger, I'm going to focus on Edmonton. Is this team good enough to win a playoff round? Over the past two seasons, the Oilers have been viewed as the heavy favorites going into the first around; both against the Hawks and the Jets and in both instances, came up lacking, winning only one game in both series combined.
But were the Oilers truly that ahead of each team going in? Look how they matched up against their first round opponents last two seasons:'
19/20 5 on 5 goals: Oilers (141GF - 16th in NHL) vs Hawks (147GF - 14th in NHL) Oilers (157GA - 29th in NHL) vs Hawks (147GA - 23rd in NHL)
20/21 5 on 5 goals Oilers (115GF - 9th in NHL) vs Jets (109GF - 13th in NHL) Oilers (116GA - 21st in NHL) vs Jets (101GA - 12th in NHL)
In both seasons, the Oilers relied heavily upon their powerplay to win games and in the post-season when the whistles are put away, Edmonton lost the EV battle.
Compare that to since Jay Woodcroft took over the team. The Oilers rank 4th in 5 on 5 goals for with 49 and 10th in goals against at 35. The LA Kings over that same period rank 29th in 5 on 5 goals with 32 and 15th in 5 on 5 GA at 38. That is a matchup that does put the Oilers in a more positive light and I will be keeping an eye on both team's numbers down the stretch.
Brassard and Kulak have both come in and helped out early. Brassard scored a goal in his first game as an Oiler off of a fluke deflection but overall I liked how he played with Nuge and Puljujarvi. That is a trio that should be able to feast against other third lines. Meanwhile Kulak came exactly as advertised and was calm and poised, making quick, good passes out of the defensive end. Kulak actually ended up playing more minutes at 5 on 5 than both Keith and Nurse.
Expect the same lineup against the Flames tonight:
Kane – McDavid – Yamamoto McLeod – Draisaitl – Hyman Brassard – RNH – Puljujarvi Foegele – Shore – Kassian
Nurse – Ceci Keith – Bouchard Kulak – Barrie
Koskinen
Meanwhile the Calgary Flames are playing their second of a back to back, though it never looked like the Coyotes gave them too much trouble. Regardless it is interesting the Markstrom is playing in both games. Edmonton needs to push through the physical stuff early and make him make some saves.
Enjoy the game!