After a few days off the Calgary Flames are set to return to action tonight against the Edmonton Oilers for this season's 3rd edition of the Battle of Alberta.
The Flames are looking to exit the holiday break the same way they went into it: with a win.
While both teams are currently outside of the playoffs this contest figures to be a good one.
It's usually entertaining when these teams meet; especially when the game is meaningful. That can certainly be said about this game as the Flames are just one point out of a divisional playoff spot while the Oilers sit just three back.
As a whole both teams have played poorly this season but both teams enter this game red hot. The Flames are winners of eight of 10 - only the Capitals can say the same - while the Oilers have won seven of their last 10.
Which team can keep it going tonight?
LINEUPS Gaudreau - Monahan - Jones Bennett - Granlund - Hudler Raymond - Backlund - Jooris Ferland - Stajan - Colborne
Giordano - Brodie Russell - Hamilton Engelland - Wideman
Ramo
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Hall - Draisaitl - Purcell Pouliot - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle Hendricks - Letestu - Korpikoski Gazdic - Lander - Pakarainen
Nurse - Schultz Sekera - Fayne Nikitin - Gryba
Talbot
NOTES 1) In almost 200 minutes of 5 v 5 ice the Oilers have gotten a 56% share of the shot attempts and 56% share of scoring chances with Hall - Draisaitl - Purcell on the ice. Bob Hartley should use last change to his advantage and get his top pairing and the Backlund line against that unit every chance he gets.
2) Since the beginning of December the Oilers have generated just 45.8% of the shot attempts (bottom-5) and 46.2% of the scoring chances (T-6th last) at full-strength. If the Flames can stay disciplined and keep things at 5 v 5 they should have a good chance of collecting two points.
3) The right side of Edmonton's defense is something the Flames should be targeting whenever possible. Justin Schultz can be a disaster in his own zone, Mark Fayne was waived this season, and Eric Gryba brings little more to the table than grit. Target the right side with zone entries and dump ins. If they are consistently forced to make plays in the defensive zone it's only a matter of time before they make a mistake.
The game is at 9:00 eastern and can be seen on Sportsnet.
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