One thing that I’ve always looked forward to, even when the Oilers were hopelessly outmatched, was the Battle of Alberta. There’s something about natural and historic rivalries that feel like they mean more. Frankly, it’s what sports is all about. If both of these teams were actually competing for playoff position then it would obviously be more impactful, but I’ll settle for caring about the game at all.
When it comes to these Oilers, it’s clearly been a disappointing year. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, and what could go wrong wasn’t prepared for. This covers everything from Lucic not becoming a dominate power play performer late in his career to Sekera neither being replaced for the 1st half nor ready to impact the game positively in the 2nd half. This is Klefbom’s injury and Yamamoto not being NHL ready. This is Ryan Strome not replacing Eberle and millions of unused cap space just hanging out in Katz’ pocket. It’s everything.
The Oilers dropped the ball early and are only now somewhat recovering and really only as Connor McDavid has decided that he will score ALL the goals. This is a team that no longer looks like it will finish 29th or 27th, but probably in the 26-24 range. They may well yet just pass Chicago and the Rangers in the standings. It’s a strange year, to say the least.
The Flames, for their part, were supposed to be a playoff team as well. Today, they sit 2 points back of the Avalanche, who will have games in hand. The Flames are on the wrong side of the Goal Differential cutline. If you want to find playoff teams, you look for clubs with positive goal differentials. Every team above the Flames in the West has positive differentials. They are the first in the negatives at -9 this season.
Things are not tracking well for them. Jagr didn’t work out. Brodie is having a wonky season. They are finding ways to lose games when they really shouldn’t. They have Johnny Gaudreau having a killer season, but it’s hard to say they are getting enough from the likes of Bennett and their bottom six.
Edmonton could mortally wound the Flames’ playoff hopes with a win this evening. The Flames should be giving this everything they have and the Oilers are playing for pride and a scoring title for their young captain. I’m looking forward to this.
LINEUP
Klefbom remains out after receiving a mystery procedure on his shoulder. He might return tomorrow.
RNH McDavid Aberg Lucic Draisaitl Cammalleri Puljujarvi Strome Slepyshev Caggiula Khaira Kassian
Russell Benning Nurse Larsson Sekera Bear
Talbot
OILERS KEYS TO THE GAME
1) Nuge At LW. The Nuge is getting a look at LW with McDavid while Draisaitl tries to run his own line. I’m not a fan of Pontus Aberg on the right side so far, but RNH has all the tools to fit with McDavid. He’s fast, smart, creative, and he was having a career year before he broke his ribs. I hope McLellan keeps this combination for more than a couple games. If RNH can take LW and Draisaitl plays C, that’s probably the best allocation of your resources, financially. I don’t know if it’s the best hockey wise. I want to find out.
2) No Tkachuk. Good news for Edmonton is it sounds like no Tkatchuk. Matthew Tkachuk is one of the most unlikable players in the NHL. He is as greasy as he is filthy and he’s better than needing to resort to the dangerous plays he makes on a regular basis. He’s Brad Marchand West, if Brad Marchand was bigger and didn’t have to prove himself continually. I think the fact that he’s a dirty slew-footing creep helps keep him underrated as an actual hockey player. He is damned good. And at 24 goals already, he has a shot to his 30 before the year is out. That’s not easy when every defender in the league wants to knock your head off.
3) Battle of Alberta. This is what hockey is all about. We grew up hating the other team. Sides are taken. Families divided. The Oilers want to put a nail in Calgary’s season. The Flames want to step on Edmonton’s neck while climbing up to a playoff berth. Neither team likes each other and wants to make an example of the other. If this is a lifeless affair then both teams deserve to hear it from their coaches the way Gulutzan lost it in practice the other day.
Puck drops tonight at 7PM Mountain Time on Sportsnet West. Game On! Follow me on Twitter @Archaeologuy