Edmonton Oilers Ready for Rendezvous with Flames
The Edmonton Oilers started off their season with a 7-4 win over Calgary Wednesday. Friday, they will ready for a rematch in the Battle of Alberta.
Despite Edmonton’s victory, head coach Todd McLellan didn’t think Wednesday’s performance was all it could have been.
“We can’t get tricked by a 7-4 win,” McLellan told the media. “There were areas of our game that need significant improvement.”
Keys to the Game
If the Oilers want to go 2-0 to start the season, they will need to pick up the slack against Calgary. First off, Edmonton needs to remain consistent and keep their momentum. Not to mention, they can’t slow down or relax when they have the lead. When any team allows Calgary leverage, they will capitalize. Edmonton cannot let this happen.
Next, they have to strengthen up defensively. Edmonton has their offensive firepower covered; they have no problem hen it comes to production so far. Also, they need to maintain their leads and strengthen their backcheck. That means being physical and outplaying the Flames at both ends of the ice.
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Projected Lineup
Forwards:
Milan Lucic-Connor McDavid-Jordan Eberle
Benoit Pouliot-Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-Zack Kassian
Patrick Maroon-Leon Draisaitl-Jesse Puljujarvi
Tyler Pitlick-Mark Letestu-Anton Slepyshev
Defense:
Oscar Klefbom-Adam Larsson
Andrej Sekera-Kris Russell
Darnell Nurse-Eric Gryba
Starting Netminder:
Cam Talbot
Important Notes
The Oilers promoted Kassian at Thursday’s morning skate. He will slot in on the second line with Nugent-Hopkins and Pouliot. In addition to scoring in Wednesday’s win, Kassian kept momentum, created chances and provided physicality. Rightfully so, he will get more ice time, which should also help production on the top six.
Larsson, who was absent from Thursday’s practice, was gone for a maintenance day and will play Friday. The Oilers placed Brandon Davidson on the injured reserve with an upper-body ailment. The injury comes after Matthew Tkachuk slew-footed him Wednesday. Eric Gryba will replace him on the bottom-pairing, but his continued role with the team is unknown. In fact, Davidson’s potential replacements are up in the air.
The puck drops at 7 p.m. MT in Scotiabank Saddledome Friday.
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