Game Preview: Flames vs Edmonton Oilers

CALGARY FLAMES (34-25-12 80 points) vs. EDMONTON OILERS (27-36-7 61 points) GAME 72

PREVIEW:

Whoever isn’t enjoying this latest Flames run can’t call themselves a hockey fan. Another victory last night against Phoenix gave the Flames five straight as they moved within one point of 7^th and 8^th place, which the Coyotes and the Colorado Avalanche currently hold with 81 points apiece. The Flames have to get right back on the horse tonight as they travel up north to duel their provincial rivals for the 6^th and final time this season. The Flames have been simply dominate over the Oilers the last couple of years and other than a lackluster 6-1 loss the last time the two teams met, the Flames have won 16 of the last 18 meetings. If the Flames continue to play like they have the past five, tonight’s game shouldn’t be an issue. Saying that the Oilers have nothing but pride to play for at this point and the Flames can’t look past them. The Flames could jump to 7^th place in the West with a victory tonight.

It was another solid team effort last night as the Flames defeated the Coyotes 4-1. Rookie sensation, or should I say ‘svensational’, Sven Baertschi had another solid game. Baertschi opened the scoring just 17 seconds in, taking advantage of a horrible Keith Yandle give away and showed great skill and patience on the finish. Baertschi also made a great play breaking up a pass on the back check and overall showed he understands the game in all aspects. Jarome Iginla stayed hot, scoring the GWG to extend his scoring streak to six games, while Matt Stajan continued also stayed hot, extending his point streak to five games.

The Oilers though young have had a disappointing season. After getting off to a fantastic start, where they were challenging for a playoff spot, things have gone south as the Oilers are once again in the lottery conversation for a top 5 pick. I’m not saying that I didn’t expect this from the Oilers but there has just been too many times that Tom Renney has questioned his teams compete and wondered if some of his players need a gut check. Things are still bright in Edmonton as there is no doubt it’s only a matter of time before their youth take over and they become a contender. That top pick this season could be the missing piece for the Oilers as they look like they will get a blue-chip defenseman they so desperately need. Jordan Eberle has led the way averaging a point a game offensively, while Taylor Hall has been hot of late, scoring in four straight games, giving him 27 on the year in just 60 games played.

I’m starting to think and believe the injuries the Flames have suffered this season could be the best thing to not only happen to them this year but also down the road. All the injuries have opened the door for some young players to show what they can do and I think the Flames have to give a TON of credit to these kids. Baertschi has been special, while Roman Horak, T.J. Brodie haven’t looked out of place. The Flames have still been led by Miikka Kiprusoff and Jarome Iginla, but having those young players around the rink, in the dressing room makes things fun again. They add so much enthusiasm and emotion that has no doubt rubbed off on the Flames veterans. With all these players starting to get healthy, time is running out for the kids to stay in the line-up, especially Baertschi. Let’s just hope when these kids aren’t in the line-up, that enthusiasm stays in the room and the Flames continue this run and become a stronger team with so many players close to returning from injury.

PROJECTED LINES:

Flames:                                                                        Oilers:

1- TANGUAY-STAJAN-IGINLA                                     1- JONES- NUGENT-HOPKINS -EBERLE

2- GLENCROSS-JOKINEN-MOSS                              2- HALL-GAGNER-HEMSKY

3- KOSTOPOULOS-NEMISZ-BAERTSCHI                 3- SMYTH-HORCOFF-HARTIKAINEN

4- COMEAU-HORAK-DESBIENS                                4- HORDICHUK-BELANGER-PETRELL

1- BOUWMEESTER-SMITH                                         1- SMID-PETRY

2- GIORDANO-HANNAN                                              2- WHITNEY-SCHULTZ

3- BABCHUK-SARICH                                                  3- PECKHAM-POTTER

1- IRVING                                                                     1- DUBNYK

2- KIPRUSOFF                                                             2- KHABIBULIN

EXTRA- KARLSSON                                                    EXTRA- OMARK, BARKER, SUTTON

INJURIES:

Flames: RW- Lee Stempniak (Ankle- Day-to-Day), LW Lance Bouma (Upper Body- Day-to-Day), D- T.J Brodie (Upper Body- Day-to-Day), RW- Tim Jackman (Undisclosed- Day-to-Day), C- Mike Cammalleri (Upper Body- Day-to-Day), D- Chris Butler (Lower Body- IR), C- Mikael Backlund (Upper Body- IR), C- Blair Jones (Ankle- IR),

Oilers: LW- Ben Eager (Back Spasms- Day-to-Day)

STATS:

Flames

Oilers

PP-

Flames: 17.8% (13^th)

Oilers: 21.8% (1^st)

PK-

Flames: 83.0% (11^th)

Oilers: 81.4% (19^th)

WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS:

DID YOU KNOW?

• Last ten games: Flames 6-2-2, Oilers 3-6-1
• Jarome Iginla, who extended his goal streak to six games, last night also has 8 goals in his last 8 games.
• Matt Stajan, who added some insurance with his goal last night, has recorded three goals and three assists during his five-game point streak.
• Svensational, Sven Baertschi also has a three game scoring streak, giving him 3 goals in his 4 games he has been called up for.
• Jay Bouwmeester played in his 577^th consecutive game last night, moving him into seventh on the all-time iron man list.
• Leland Irving, who was recalled on Wednesday, backed-up Miikka Kiprusoff last night and will start tonight in Edmonton. Irving is 1-2-3 on the season with a 3.22 GAA and a .916 SV%.
• Before the Oilers 6-1 victory against the Flames on Feb. 21^st, the Flames had won nine straight against their provincial rivals.
• Lee Stempniak and Lance Bouma both skated with the club during yesterday’s morning skate and barring any setbacks should be back any game now.
• Oilers goalie, Devan Dubnyk recorded his second shutout of the season on Wednesday night. Dubnyk is trying to show the Oilers brass that he can be their number one as he looks to improve his 9-7 record at home tonight.

GAME DAY QUOTE:

"It's fun to be back in this playoff race… It's going to be interesting with so many teams here."

– Captain Jarome Iginla

Follow me on Twitter: @NickSymon