"Let's fight!"
"Them's fighten' words!"
(fight ensues)
Yet another chapter will be written tonight in the never ending struggle for Alberta supremacy. The Oil have somehow managed to win 3 straight, with the mulleted man-o-the-crease Ryan Smyth leading the way (he's currently on pace to score 57 goals). Roloson has been better than solid for Edmonton thus far this year; he's currently 4th in league in terms of SV% with .923. Only Toskala, Kipper and Emery are ahead of him.
The Flames are riding a 6 game high, largely on the backs of Tanguay (8 points in 4 games), Iginla (10 points in 7 games), Huselius (4 goals, 5 points in 5 games) and, naturally, Miikka (1.00 GAA over 6 games).
Stats and such:
The two teams have pretty similar GPG figures: Edmonton is currently scoring at a rate of 2.90 (16th) goals per game while Calgary is averaging around 2.78 goals per contest (18th). The Greasers have managed eight more goals at ES (38-30) than the Flames, but have played 2 more games. As far as GA are concerned, Edmonton has surrendered as much as they've scored at ES (39), while the Flames are a league low 15. The Oil have the superior PP (15.2% vs 14.3%) and PK (90.1% vs 80.4%).
Which means:
- The Flames will try to play as much as possible at 5on5. While Calgary's special teams numbers are slightly skewed by their terrible start to the year, their overriding strength is still their ES play. Considering the Oilers are currently a -1 at ES compared to the Flames +15, a special teams-less match will almost certainly result in (another) Calgary victory.
- Shutting down Smyth and Sykora will also be a priority tonight. Smyth is the reigning King of tips and screens in the NHL. Warrener, Regehr and Phaneuf will be intrumental in keeping his ass out of Kippers face most of the night. Staying out of the box will go a long way in accomplishing this goal.
- Sykora is Edmonton's 2nd leading scorer and more of a high-slot sniper. shot-blocking and beating up on his setup man, Ales Hemsky, will make containing Sykora a lot easier.
Misc:
Visit Mudcrutch, Covered In Oil and Irreverent Oil Fans for a view from the other side. Expect cracks about how Calgary only wins because of Kipper mixed with mentions of 5 stanley cups and probably a few cheapshots regarding "boring Flames style hockey". You may also see complaining about the Oilers powerplay amongst other signs of insecurity. Grabia has another pregame post up over at Battle of Alberta. Stay away if you dislike mangled Shakespearian rhymes.
Prediction:
Flames 4, Stinktown Greaseballs 2. Iginla(2), Huselius(1) and Amonte(1) round out the scoring for Calgary. Winchester and Broken Stick for the Oil.
