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
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Here's what 'the hinge' move is, how to do it correctly
When you're picking something up from the floor or bending over to tie your shoe laces, you're performing "the hinge move," according to movement trainers.
Trump heading to Jersey Shore to rally 'mega crowd' in weekend break from hush money trial
After a long week in court, Donald Trump is heading to the Jersey Shore. And his campaign says he'll be joined by "tens of thousands" of his friends.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.