Flames hockey is back.
After a four month layoff the Calgary Flames will take on the Edmonton Oilers in their preseason opener(s).
There will be two split squad games - one in each city - and the puck will drop at 9 eastern/7 mountain. Streams will be available on the team website.
The Flames have established NHLers in both cities but, as you would expect, they kept the best they have to offer in Calgary to play in front of the home fans.
Playing in Calgary: Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler Raymond - Bennett - Frolik Ferland - Stajan - Poirier Bollig - Shore - Smith
Giordano - Brodie Wotherspoon - Hamilton Kulak - Nakladal
Hiller Ortio
Playing in Edmonton: Bouma - Backlund - Jones Klimchuk - Granlund - Agostino Mangiapane - Grant - Hathaway Van Brabant - Elson - Carroll
Russell - Wideman Wilson - Andersson Kylington - Engelland
Ramo McDonald
What to watch tonight:
- More than anything else I'll be watching the play of the goaltenders tonight. How does Ramo perform vs a solid lineup in Edmonton? Does Ortio look ready? How does Hiller - seemingly the one management wants to move - look?
- Jiri Hudler has been moved back to the top line after several days of practicing with Sam Bennett on the 2nd line. If Frolik can produce on a line with Bennett it may allow Bob Hartley to leave Hudler on the top line while still having a balanced offensive attack.
- I think the final spot on defense could come down to Ryan Wilson vs Tyler Wotherspoon. The latter probably has the early edge - he's the one with a contract - but if Wilson shows well or Wotherspoon struggles during these preseason games that could change. It will be fun to watch these two, among others, battle for one of the final spots on the team.
- Rasmus Andersson, Oliver Kylington and Andrew Mangiapane are among the group of prospects that have impressed the Flames the most this off-season. None of them are ready for NHL duty - Andersson and Mangiapane will return to Barrie; Kylington will play in Stockton or Brandon - but this will be a good measuring stick to see just how far along they are in their development.