GDT - Oilers @ Flames - December 27, 2022 - 7:00PM MDT Start - A Deeds/Saymzies Collaboration

[Ryan Man]

 

7 p.m. MT | TV: Sportsnet West | RADIO: Sportsnet 960 The FAN

 

 

[DirtyDeeds]

 

 

 

 

Lineups

Flames

 

 

Oilers

 

 

 

Goaltenders

 

 

[Ryan Man]

1. LAST TIME OUT

It was a heckuva way to head into the Christmas break.

 

The Flames went 3-0-1 on their four-game swing through California, finishing up with a 3-2 OT victory against the Ducks on Dec. 23, Rasmus Andersson scoring the game-winner.

 

The win accomplished the team's stated goal before they left the then Alberta deep freeze for sunny SoCal - get into a playoff position by Christmas.

 

The pair of point vaulted them over, who else, but the Oilers for second wild-card spot. 

 

And while they were able to celebrate the Christmas break with a few egg nogs for making good on that goal, head coach Darryl Sutter was quick to point out the real work will come now as they look to keep a postseason berth - and climb the standings - in the back half of this campaign.

 

"You know what, this has been a grind for our team," said Sutter of the stretch drive to their three-day Christmas vacation. "They need a break and tonight was just about digging down there a little bit, that's pretty clear. A lot of games.

"Doesn't get easier."
 

2. KNOW YOUR ENEMY

The Oilers had a rough path to Christmas, losing four of their last five - although one was in OT and another in a shootout.

 

Their most recent outing was a 5-2 loss to the Canucks at home on Dec. 23.

Derek Ryan and Connor McDavid scored to stake the homeside to a 2-0 lead after the first period but J.T. Miller would tally a pair in the second period to tie it up after 40 minutes.

 

Bo Horvat then scored twice and Ilya Mikheyev also lit the lamp to close it out. 

 

"We had the start that we wanted and then we cough it up," McDavid, who extended his point streak to 15 games, told NHL.com. "It was not the second period that we wanted, but we still had a chance. We have to find a way to win that game, there is just no way around it."

 

Zach Hyman had an equally blunt take.

 

"It's unacceptable," he said. "We had a really good start and were up 2-0 and were the fresher team, and then they scored five unanswered. Obviously you can't win like that."

 

Stuart Skinner made 25 saves in the contest, while Colin Delia got his first victory as a starter for the Canucks turning aside 31 pucks.
 

3. FAST FACTS

BOA THIS SEASON: This is the third and final edition of the Battle of Alberta during the 2022-23 campaign, with the Flames and Oilers having split the two meetings so far. Their first meeting came on the Flames second game of the season in Edmonton which saw an early Flames offensive onslaught with first period goals from Backlund, Stone, Kadri and Mangiapane on 16 opening-frame shots. Kadri's goal was his first as a Flame, Michael Stone would go on to record his first three-point game in the NHL and Dan Vladar made 20 saves to help the Flames win round one of the Battle of Alberta 4-3. In their second meeting, Mikael Backlund scored his second against the Oilers this season shorthanded, Brett Ritchie also tallied for Calgary, but two goals from Zach Hyman would help the Oilers take the second meeting 3-2.
 

MARKY MARK: Jacob Markstrom turned aside 21 of the 23 shots he faced on Friday night at the Honda Center to help the Flames knock off the Ducks 3-2 in overtime. With the win, Markstrom moved into a tie for the sixth most regular season and playoff wins combined in franchise history (75). Markstrom tied Trevor Kidd who spent five seasons with the Flames from 1991 to 1997 playing in 178 games over the course of his time as a Flame. Markstrom is in his third year as a Flame and has amassed the 75 wins in 142 total games in a Flames sweater.
 

HOT STARTS: Michael Stone scored 4:19 into the game on Friday night in Anaheim to give the Flames an early 1-0 lead, marking the 13th time this season the Flames have scored in the opening five minutes of a game so far this season which leads the NHL in goals in the opening five minutes of a game. The Flames have scored in the games opening five minutes in three-straight games, including the Stone goal along with Jonathan Huberdeau scoring 3:23 into the game in Los Angeles and Tyler Toffoli and Dillon Dube both scoring in the opening 30 seconds in San Jose.
 

4. PLAYERS TO WATCH

Flames - Tyler Toffoli

Toff's been on a tear! The Flames forward has four goals and seven points in his last four games and is hitting his stride at this crucial juncture of the season.

 

Oilers - Connor McDavid

Pretty hard to go with anyone else. He's leading the league in goals and points, and his current 15-game point streak (14 goals and 17 assists) is the longest currently in the NHL.  
 

5. DID YOU KNOW:

For the first time since 2009, the first two Battle of Alberta matchups in a season have both been decided by one goal. The last time was Oct. 3, 2009 (CGY 4 @ EDM3) and Oct. 8, 2009 (CGY 4 @ EDM 3 SO).

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DirtyDeeds]

 

 

 

 

We only get 3 "Battle of Alberta" this regular season [who made up this schedule?]

We split the first 2 and there is only this game left.

We just passed the Oilers in the standings.......

Lets put the boots to the pesky Oilers and show them their proper place...

 

 

We will be dancing when we Finish them off this game.

 

Go Flames Go !!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[conundrumed]

Hoping this doesn't deteriorate into a run and gun. Defence wins games, especially vs 150' game superstar players. Let's stick to a tight-checking game, keep the damn sticks down and not take dumb penalties.

We need this one, and so do they.

[travel_dude]

1 hour ago, conundrumed said:

Hoping this doesn't deteriorate into a run and gun. Defence wins games, especially vs 150' game superstar players. Let's stick to a tight-checking game, keep the damn sticks down and not take dumb penalties.

We need this one, and so do they.

 

We won with Vladar, and lost with Marky in nets.

But, Marky has to get over the lousy play from last playoffs and start winning these games against the division.

[Carty]

Great job on the GDT Saymzies & Deeds...   +1's...🍺🍺

 

Looking forward to a good game, and an important win for the Flames...

 

GO FLAMES!!!

 

[Thebrewcrew]

Big one for both clubs. 

 

 

[robrob74]

4 hours ago, conundrumed said:

Hoping this doesn't deteriorate into a run and gun. Defence wins games, especially vs 150' game superstar players. Let's stick to a tight-checking game, keep the damn sticks down and not take dumb penalties.

We need this one, and so do they.

 

it's a game like this where I'd like 2 forecheckers in to pressure and keep the game in their end. Mind McD and the other D of course. But that's where keeping the puck off their stick is a better D than allowing them to skate around our guys into the zone. 

[travel_dude]

17 minutes ago, robrob74 said:

 

it's a game like this where I'd like 2 forecheckers in to pressure and keep the game in their end. Mind McD and the other D of course. But that's where keeping the puck off their stick is a better D than allowing them to skate around our guys into the zone. 

 

I see similarities between CBJ and EDM.  They cheat to the offensive blueline like Laine does.

If you look behind you and see McD there, then you know a pass is a coming.

The N zone is where McD builds speed, so don't let him get through.

He's fair game coming at you to hit.

Bump him when he tries it or tries to cut to the net.

 

Anyway, as C suggests, don't get sucked into river hockey.

We can defend on the PK and it's obvious that the two plays are McD pass to Drai onetimer or McD cutting in.

Don't let them draw a penalty while we have a guy in the box.

 

As far as coaching, Sutter needs to limit the 2nd line against anyone in the top 9.

Nobody outside of McD and Drai really worry me, but Lucic drags the 2nd line down into our zone.

The 4th line should play more minutes and Backlund can handle McD.

[Thebrewcrew]

It's still December, but an important divisional game.

 

Win in regulation, go 3 up on EDM with games played equal.

 

Should be a good game.

[pcs]

Looking forward to this one. Hoping the Flames don’t get stupid trying to outgun McD

[MP5029]

Dear God what’s Sutter thinking with theses lines?

 

I’m really good with line 3 but WTF putting Lucic with Hubby and Kadri…mays as well put both those guys on the 4th line…
 

Sutter was so close to making theses lines good but totally messed it up…should be:

 

Hubbie/Lindholm/Kadri

Manji/Backlund/Toffoil 

Coleman/Ruzicka/Dube 

Lucic/Lewis/Ritchie 

 

Why won’t he do this? Kadri sucks at FO’s Ruzicka keeps getting better…kinda a no brainer really? 

[conundrumed]

I've missed George Canyon. /s

[Ryan Man]

[conundrumed]

41 minutes ago, MP5029 said:

Dear God what’s Sutter thinking with theses lines?

 

I’m really good with line 3 but WTF putting Lucic with Hubby and Kadri…mays as well put both those guys on the 4th line…
 

Sutter was so close to making theses lines good but totally messed it up…should be:

 

Hubbie/Lindholm/Kadri

Manji/Backlund/Toffoil 

Coleman/Ruzicka/Dube 

Lucic/Lewis/Ritchie 

 

Why won’t he do this? Kadri sucks at FO’s Ruzicka keeps getting better…kinda a no brainer really? 

No way. Dube 1RW. This is the way.

[conundrumed]

Just now, Saymzies said:

Nat King Cole sings The Christmas Song whenever I see a fireplace! Best voice ever!!

[Thebrewcrew]

Good start for the Flames, coming off the break.

[travel_dude]

[travel_dude]

Getting the first goal is important to the Flames.

When we get down we start taking penalties.

[travel_dude]

Really need an improvement over Stone.

He has a rocket, but little defensive skills at times.

[conundrumed]

Where's the replay on that penalty?

[conundrumed]

Can Hrudey use his inside voice more.

[travel_dude]

3 minutes ago, conundrumed said:

Can Hrudey use his inside voice more.

 

He only has one voice against the Oilers.

His McDavid voice.

[travel_dude]

Somehow with the Hibey line out, we manage to be exposed to a 4 man rush.