SPEAKING WITH THE ENEMY: Flames @ Oilers
7 years ago
The Oilers and Flames square off for the first time in 2017 and we’ve asked writers from both OilersNation and FlamesNation to give us their take on tonight’s matchup. We’ve also put together a few quick stats to get you ready for the first BOA of the year.
Please note that this article was posted at both OilersNation and FlamesNation.
THE MATCHUP
Saturday, January 14th, 2016 – Rogers Place (Edmonton) – 8pm (MST) on HNIC
| Edmonton Oilers | Calgary Flames |
| 22-15-7 (3rd in the Pacific) | 23-20-2 (4th in the Pacific) |
| 5-3-2 in their last 10 | 6-4-0 in their last 10 |
| Power Play (PP%): 20.4% (11th) | Power Play (PP%): 20.4% (12th) |
| Penalty Kill (PK%): 81.4% (19th) | Penalty Kill (PK%): 81.4% (18th) |
 |  |
Tonight’s Matchup:
Funny what a few months can do. The Oilers started the season with two wins over the Flames that propelled them to a 7-1 start whereas Calgary struggled out of the gates. Fast forward to tonight’s game and both of these teams have started to even out, with Edmonton struggling at times and Calgary playing more to their potential. One thing is for certain, the Battle of Alberta appears to be back and these matchups will only intensify as both clubs make their push towards the playoffs.
Points Leaders:
Connor McDavid (EDM) – 13G, 36A = 50 points
Leon Draisaitl (EDM) – 16G, 22A = 38 points
Mikael Backlund (CAL) – 12G, 17A = 29 points
Milan Lucic (EDM) – 10G, 17A = 27 points
Johnny Gaudreau (CAL) – 10G, 17A = 27 points
Matthew Tkachuk (CAL) – 8G, 19A = 27 points
Goaltenders:
Edmonton:
| Player | GP | GS | W | L | T | OT | SA | GA | GAA | S | Sv% | SO | MIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Talbot | 39 | 39 | 21 | 12 | 0 | 6 | 1,167 | 97 | 2.49 | 1,070 | .917 | 3 | 2,334 |
| Laurent Brossoit | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Calgary:
| Player | GP | GS | W | L | T | OT | SA | GA | GAA | S | Sv% | SO | MIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chad Johnson | 26 | 26 | 15 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 759 | 58 | 2.25 | 701 | .924 | 3 | 1,545 |
| Brian Elliott | 20 | 19 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 515 | 57 | 2.95 | 458 | .889 | 0 | 1,158 |
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Why is your team going to win or why will your enemy lose?
Why? Because Edmonton is the better team. Easy enough, right? If that’s not good enough for you then how about the fact that the Flames played last night and the Oilers are coming into tonight’s game fresh off a big win against Taylor Hall and the Devils, something Calgary couldn’t get done last night.
The Flames have gotten a lot better since the start of the season. They’re still prone to inconsistent play, but they’ve also had a lot of nights in which they’ve looked dominant on the ice. Throw in that they’re bound to be furious with themselves after their loss to the Devils, and they’re a team that’s probably going to come out hard looking for redemption.
Who’s hot? Who’s not?
Baggedmik:
In terms of overall sexiness and fire on the ice the obvious answer is Leon Draisaitl. If you’re more into the bearded lumberjack look then Pat Maroon is likely to be setting your loins on fire with his timely goals, manly beard, and legendary interviews. Who’s cold? Everyone that lives in this city right now.
Ari Yanover:
Matthew Tkachuk, Mikael Backlund, and Michael Frolik, otherwise known as the 3M line. Dougie Hamilton is more than pulling his weight (and that of just about everybody else’s), too. The rest of the Flames are, uh, not so great at the whole “offence” thing. But we do love local hero Chad Johnson.
Why should people watch this game?
Baggedmilk:
Easy. Connor McDavid. It’s important for Flames fans to get the chance to watch Connor often so that they know who will be dismantelling their team come puck drop.
Ari Yanover:
Vengeance? And the chance to take in Mikael Backlund, who is finally – after way too many years – starting to get the recognition he wholeheartedly deserves. Everyone loves Patrice Bergeron, right? Backlund is basically Bergeon West, and the 3M line is legitimately one of the best lines in the entire NHL.
Say something nice about your opponent.
Baggedmilk:
Calgary smells like Mr. Noodle and I don’t hate that.
Ari Yanover:
Some of my best friends live in Edmonton. I go up there semi-often to hang out, and I haven’t been stabbed once.
Any last words?
Baggedmilk:
Connor McDavid. Thank you.
Ari Yanover:
Adam Larsson would be a 4D on the Flames.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Join in the conversation on Twitter at @OilersNation and @FlamesNation to give us your thoughts on the game. Social media not your thing? Keep the battle going in the game day articles at OilersNation and FlamesNation.
Recent articles from Nation World HQ
