For the first time in a long while the Flames and Oilers are both battling for a playoff spot after the Christmas break. They are probably even battling for the same playoff spot, and both teams really need to go on a roll if they want to further cement themselves in the playoff picture. Tonight’s game is a 4 point game for these 2 teams and you know both of them will want to get it finished in regulation.
The Flames have pulled themselves back into the playoff race after an absolutely brutal start, mostly on the backs of Johnny Gaudreau, a 10 game home winning streak and a pathetic Pacific division. In general though, the Flames as a whole have just been much better the last month or so.
The Oilers, for the first time in what feels like an eternity, are actually not out of the playoff race yet. They’ve accomplished this much like the Flames have, with a strong home record and being in the right place at the right time, or in this case the right divison.
This will be the 3rd time in 3 years the Flames will face the Oilers in their first game back from the Christmas break. 2 years ago, the Flames lost 2-0. Last year the Flames walked away with a 4-1 victory with Johnny Gaudreau leading the way with 2 goals. Tonight’s game is also the 3rd meeting of the season for these 2 teams, with the 2 teams splitting the first 2 games. Tonight almost has a “War to Settle the Score” feel to it, but that’s not the only thing this game has going for it. Both the Flames and Oilers have been on a bit of a roll lately. The Flames are looking to set a franchise record tonight with their 11th straight home win.
Can they do it?
The Flow
The Flames came out flying to start the period and were able to carry that momentum for most of the period, but were unable to capitalize on their chances. In what’s starting to feel like typical Flames fashion, with just over 3 minutes left in the period and the Flames outshooting the Oilers 9-4, the Oilers were able to draw first blood on a broken play that ended with a nice tip in by Beniot Pouliot. Pouliot wasn’t done there as he would give the Oilers a 2 goal lead less than 2 minutes later. Just like that 15 minutes of good hockey completely undone by the last 5 minutes.
The second period was all over the place. First the Oilers piled on the pressure, leading to a 2 on 1 that Karri Ramo would turn aside. Then not long after that save the Flames would get on the board thanks to Johnny Gaudreau converting a T.J. Brodie pass. After, the Flames controlled the play for a while, forcing Anders Nilsson to come up with a big save of his own, robbing T.J. Brodie by snatching the puck from the goal line with his glove. This gave the Oilers some life as not long after that the Flames had a breakdown that Draisaitl read perfectly, and sent Teddy Purcell off to the races with a breakaway that he would have no troubles converting on to restore the Oilers 2 goal lead. A couple minutes later Joe Colborne would get called for holding the stick, sending the Oilers to the power-play, and for a brief moment in time all seemed lost. The Flames, however, didn’t seem to notice the despair from their fan base, as they scored their first short handed goal of the season on a mad scramble in front of the net. Giordano tied the game up on the PP not long after and then the Flames would take their first lead of the game when Justin Schultz put the puck right on the stick of Johnny Gaudreau, who was standing all alone in front of the net, and scored with 32 seconds left in the period.
The Flames and Oilers continued their back and forth battle in the third. The Oilers made a goaltending change to start the period, bringing in Cam Talbot. It was not enough to turn the tides in their favor however as Mark Giordano would put the Flames up 5-3 with his second PP goal of the night and the Flames would finish it off, winning their franchise record 11th game at home.
Three Stars
1.Johnny Gaudreau: The Flames young franchise player scores another 2 goals tonight, bringing his goal total for the month of December up to 12. The kid was absolutely flying tonight and every time he had the puck on his stick the crowd started to buzz.
2.Leon Draisaitl: The Oilers best player tonight. He showed excellent smarts to set up the Purcell breakaway and was dangerous every time the puck was on his stick.
3.T.J. Brodie: No one has been more consistent for the Flames this year than T.J. Brodie and tonight was no different. Finishing the night with 2 assists, he was calm defensively and a force offensively.
Big Save
Not long after the Flames made the score 2-1, the Flames started to take the game back over, getting close to that equalizing goal. Gaudreau found a wide open T.J. Brodie in the slot, he had nothing but time and space to work with but was completely robbed by Anders Nilsson, who reached across and snatched the puck out of the air with his glove.
The Goat
Sticking with my tradition, a Flames win means no goat tonight.
Mr. Clutch
The Captain Mark Giordano. He had a bit of a rough first period, and had a super stinky turnover that lead to the Oilers third goal, but after that dug deep, scored a couple goals and helped his team get the victory. Love how he battled adversity tonight.
Odds and Ends
Bennett went into complete monster mode tonight. You could tell he isn’t happy with the way the last few weeks have gone for him and he was definitely playing with a chip on his shoulder. Laying out Hendricks twice in about 5 seconds was just the icing on top of the cake. The points will come, he just needs to keep up with that intensity…
I’ve really liked Michael Ferland’s game the last few weeks. I know the points aren’t there, and there will come a time where he will have to show that side of the game more consistently, but for now I’ve really enjoyed watching him progress on the ice. His hands are better than I thought they were, he has good speed, he plays a strong 2-way game and has a good mind for the game. He just needs to keep playing the way he has and I have no doubts the points will come…
I was not a fan of one of the other Flames big men tonight. I felt as though Colborne’s been trying to be too fancy lately, instead of just putting pucks on net and getting dirty. It showed tonight. A few too many fancy drop passes that lead to turn overs and they killed some momentum…
Shout out to Johnny Hockey for informing the world that Stajan works his bag off. TMI Johnny. TMI…
The Flames PP is looking slightly better these days, but it needs to keep improving if this team has any hopes of making the playoffs this year. There’s just far too much skill for them to be dead last…
Both fan bases are starving for the revival of a rivalry that has long since disappeared. Playing games like this, games that mean something, will only help bring the hatred back. Tonight was honest to god probably the best Flames vs. Oilers game that I’ve seen in a very long time. Very spirited, lots of physical stuff, both teams going back and forth. Lots of fun. We need more of that when these 2 teams get together…
Next Up
The Flames continue their home stand Tuesday, December 29th, against the Anaheim Ducks. You can watch the game on Sportsnet West, or listen to it on the Fan960.
Lines
Gaudreau – Monahan – Hudler
Ferland – Backlund – Colborne
Bouma – Stajan – Jones
Bennett – Granlund – Raymond
Giordano – Brodie
Russell – Hamilton
Wideman – Engellend
Ramo
