Flames, Oilers bring potent offences to second-round NHL playoff series
The NHL's first playoff Battle of Alberta in 31 years will be a game of keep away.
The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers will try to keep the puck off the sticks of each other's top scorers by keeping it on the sticks of their own stars.
Two potent offences clash in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal starting Wednesday in Calgary.
Led by NHL points leader Connor McDavid and prolific teammate Leon Draisaitl for the Oilers, and Calgary's top line of 40-goal men Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk, this second-round series has the potential to be a high-scoring affair.
"Hopefully more on our side," Flames defenceman Michael Stone said. "That's the plan."
Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom, who is a Vézina Trophy nominee, and veteran Oilers counterpart Mike Smith, who just three years ago tended Calgary's net in the playoffs, will be prominent in determining goal volume.
Calgary (50-21-11) topped the Pacific Division ahead of runner-up Edmonton (49-27-6) in the regular season.
Their season series went 2-2, including Calgary's 9-5 win March 26 at the Saddledome.
The Flames and Oilers are the two Canadian clubs still in contention for a Stanley Cup, and one of them will be eliminated.
Alberta's NHL teams clash in the post-season for the first time since 1991. The novelty isn't lost on the province or the players.
"I think people of Alberta have been waiting a long time for this, since 1991," Flames forward Milan Lucic said. "Something to look forward to as a player and an athlete. Something you've got to have fun with."
Both clubs are coming off first-round series that went to a Game 7 at home.
Gaudreau scored the overtime winner in a Sunday's 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars, while McDavid scored and assisted on the other goal in Saturday's 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.
The Flames' shot differential in a low-scoring series against Dallas was plus-92.
Calgary's challenge in the second round is to bring the same shot mentality that wore down, barely, the Stars and workhorse goaltender Jake Oettinger while preventing the Oilers from doing the same to them.
"They have some world-class players, play with a lot of speed and they're good off the rush, so we've got to be aware when people are on the ice and be ready to reload and stay above (the puck)," Lindholm said.
With McDavid and Draisaitl boasting a league-leading 44 and 41 power-play points respectively in the regular season, the Flames can't afford to get baited into cheap penalties.
"The key for us is to stay five-on-five and stay out of the box," Lindholm said. "They have some good chemistry and have a good power play. Stuff like that is going to be important."
The Swedish winger was announced Tuesday as a finalist for the Selke Trophy that goes to the NHL's top defensive forward.
"When the puck is in our defensive zone, he's always in the right position," Markstrom said of Lindholm. "He carries the puck up the ice and lets those guys, Johnny and Chucky down low, they're so good at creating space and beating guys one on one.
"Then he's in the slot and finished a lot of goals that way. It's just everything he does, all over the ice, it's great to see."
Calgary winning its first playoff series since 2015 — and just its second in the last 17 years — was a mental post-season hurdle cleared, Flames head coach Darryl Sutter said.
"It's not a real good analogy that people use, but they didn't have to bear the cross of the past, so that was the step," Sutter said.
"Because you're in the next round, it's the next tier up. Should resonate how hard it is to make the playoffs, how hard it is to win a round."
Flames defenceman Chris Tanev skated Tuesday after sitting out Sunday's series finale with an undisclosed injury. Calgary's top shutdown blue-liner appeared uncomfortable at times on Tuesday's rushes.
"Don't ask about injuries or who is playing anymore," Sutter said. "Why should a coach get up and talk about somebody who is injured? That's like saying 'here's another cookie.'"
Sutter's 93 career playoff wins is one back of Pat Quinn for sixth all-time.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 17, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial is set to take the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Steve Buscemi punched in the face while walking in N.Y.C.
Hollywood actor Steve Buscemi has been treated for injuries after being punched in the face while walking in New York City.
'Be very, very careful': Wildfire conditions 'still extreme,' says Alberta fire chief
As wildfire conditions remain 'extreme' in northern Alberta, residents are being urged to be extra cautious and follow a fire ban.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Canucks' Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosscheck on Oilers' McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been given the highest possible fine under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
COMING UP @ 3:30 P.M. City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate outside of taxi bylaw, judge rules
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.
Jerry Seinfeld speech prompts pro-Palestinian demonstration at U.S. university graduation ceremony
A tiny contingent of Duke University graduates opposed pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld speaking at their commencement in North Carolina Sunday, with about 30 of the 7,000 students leaving their seats and chanting "free Palestine" amid a mix of boos and cheers.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.