High and Wide Posted May 17, 2022 Posted May 17, 2022 (1P) Calgary Flames vs. (2P) Edmonton Oilers REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS: Flames: 50-21-11 — 111 points Oilers: 49-27-6 — 104 points SEASON SERIES: CGY 2-2-0; EDM 2-2-0 GAME BREAKERS: Flames: It took a little time for Gaudreau to get going in the first round against the Stars, but once he did, he was outstanding. He led the Flames with eight points (two goals, six assists) in seven games, including the game- and series-clinching goal 15:09 into overtime on Sunday. Gaudreau, who can become an unrestricted free agent this summer, is the motor that drives the Flames and he's hitting his form at the perfect time. Oilers: No surprise here that it's McDavid. After leading the NHL with 123 points (44 goals, 79 assists) in 80 regular-season games, he was tremendous against the Kings and leads the NHL this postseason with 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in seven games. He had at least two points in the final three games against Los Angeles, including three points (one goal, two assists) in Games 5 and 6. McDavid has 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 28 career playoff games. GOALTENDING: Flames: Markstrom reminded everyone why he's a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the best goalie in the NHL, in the first round. He was 4-3 with a 1.53 goals-against average, .943 save percentage and one shutout in seven starts against the Stars. That's after a regular season in which he had an NHL-leading nine shutouts. Oilers: Smith, who played two seasons with the Flames from 2017-19, enters this series against his former team playing well. The 40-year-old was 4-3 with a 2.29 GAA, .938 save percentage and two shutouts, the second coming when he made 29 saves in a 2-0 win against Los Angeles in Game 7. Among goalies who have played at least 10 career playoff games, Smith's save percentage of .932 is second to former Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas (.933). X FACTORS: Flames: Elias Lindholm, the center of the top forward line with left wing Gaudreau and right wing Tkachuk, had a nice first round. Lindholm had five points (three goals, two assists) in seven games, third on the Flames behind Gaudreau with eight points and Tkachuk with six (one goal, five assists). Lindholm was tied for the team lead in goals with forward Mikael Backlund. Oilers: Zack Kassian. The forward had two points (one goal, one assist) in seven games against the Kings and was double-shifted in Games 6 and 7. The Flames showed their physical side against the Stars and if that's true of the second round as well, Kassian will be one player expected to counter it. WILL WIN IF: Flames: They can get a little more offense for Markstrom. He did his job in the first round, but scoring a few more goals for their goalie wouldn't hurt. Calgary was hit-and-miss on that front in the first round, and a lot of credit for that goes to Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger, who made life difficult throughout the series. The Flames will see if they can produce a little more against the Oilers, who allowed 2.43 goals per game in the first round. Oilers: If they can keep up their productive ways. Edmonton averaged 3.86 goals per game in the first round, fourth behind Colorado (5.25), the Pittsburgh Penguins (4.14) and New York Rangers (4.00). Obviously that offense goes through McDavid and Draisaitl, but if a few other guys can chip in, the Oilers won't mind. MORE: https://www.nhl.com/news/flames-oilers-second-round-series-preview/c-334132106?tid=334055882 1
Ozzy Posted May 17, 2022 Posted May 17, 2022 Flames....just needed to get that 1st round outta the way. It's "steamroll city" from here out!
Morphinity 2.0 Posted May 17, 2022 Posted May 17, 2022 Flames are going to feast on Duncan Keith, who is horrible.
Karan Posted May 17, 2022 Posted May 17, 2022 CGY in 6, despite their weak showing against DAL. EDM just doesn't have that level of goaltending or defense that DAL did. And with Draisaitl playing injured, it'll be the McDavid show for a couple games at best.
Karan Posted May 19, 2022 Posted May 19, 2022 Yikes. Worst possible start for EDM so far. 3-0 CGY barely 7 minutes into the series with Smith yanked.
Keirik Posted May 19, 2022 Posted May 19, 2022 This is wild. When it was 2-0 I told my buddy the Flames will win 8-6
Keirik Posted May 19, 2022 Posted May 19, 2022 My God these fans in attendance there will be talking about this game for decades. How fun is this? 1
Sharpshooter Posted May 19, 2022 Posted May 19, 2022 That was some classic Flames/Oilers stuff right there. That was fantastic. These playoffs have not disappointed.
Karan Posted May 19, 2022 Posted May 19, 2022 Brady Tkachuk in full-on Flames fan mode And loaded up on beers including 2 in his back pocket lmao 1 1
Zuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc Posted May 19, 2022 Posted May 19, 2022 12 minutes ago, Karan said: Brady Tkachuk in full-on Flames fan mode And loaded up on beers including 2 in his back pocket lmao Even got two hotties following him around. What a stud.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now