If you’ve looked at the standings this morning, you know this is a dire time for the Edmonton Oilers 2017-18 season. The Oilers are No. 7 in the division and seven points behind the Calgary Flames as we enter play this evening, and it could be five points or nine by the time the clock strikes midnight.
The club arrives in Calgary with a growing list of injuries, most recently starting goalie Cam Talbot and defender Adam Larsson. Along with Andrej Sekera, this represents a massive portion of the ‘heart of the order’ and you’d be a fool to bet on this Edmonton time ripping through the 13 games of December. Added to that? The performances by some Oilers during the last 10 games.
Oilers Scoring, Last 10 Games
- Connor McDavid 10, 4-8-12
- Mark Letestu 10, 3-5-8
- Leon Draisaitl 10, 2-5-7
- Zack Kassian 10, 2-4-6
- Jujhar Khaira 7, 2-4-6
- Milan Lucic 10, 1-5-6
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 10, 3-3-6
- Kris Russell 10, 1-5-6
- Ryan Strome 10, 2-4-6
- Darnell Nurse 10, 2-3-5
- Yohann Auvitu 7, 1-3-4
- Matt Benning 10, 2-2-4
- Drake Caggiula 9, 3-1-4
- Patrick Maroon 10, 3-1-4
- Mike Cammalleri 7, 1-1-2
- Oscar Klefbom 9, 1-1-2
- Adam Larsson 9, 1-0-1
- Iiro Pakarinen 5, 0-1-1
- Jesse Puljujarvi 8, 1-0-1
- Eric Gryba 5, 0-0-0
- Anton Slepyshev 3, 0-0-0
- Brad Malone 1, 0-0-0
Edmonton has scored 34 goals in the last 10 games, that’s a good total. Even better, 28 of those goals came at even strength! All of this comes via hockey-reference. I placed the right-wingers in bold, that’s one of the areas Edmonton badly needs to improve in the coming days.
The new man Walker
Edmonton claimed Nathan Walker from the Washington Capitals yesterday, he brings speed and versatility to the forward group. His scoring at the AHL level is .391 per game, meaning he’s likely going to apply for a checking role with the Oilers (Khaira’s career AHL points-per-game was .429). He can apparently play all three forward positions.
LINEUPS
Oilers
Lucic – McDavid – Puljujarvi
Maroon – Nugent-Hopkins – Slepyshev
Caggiula – Draisaitl – Strome
Khaira – Letestu – Kassian
Nurse – Gryba
Klefbom – Benning
Auvitu – Russell
If there are any changes, we’ll be sure to update the lineups.
Flames
Gaudreau – Monahan – Ferland
Tkachuk – Backlund – Frolik
Bennett – Jankowski – Jagr
Hathaway – Stajan – Brouwer
Giordano – D.Hamilton
Brodie – Hamonic
Kulak – Stone
Lineups (subject to change) are courtesy of DailyFaceoff.com
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
When the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers met on the first night of the season, both teams were dealing with the weight of expectations. The Flames had retooled a bit in the summer in an effort to line up more favourably against the Oilers, who were considered a potential contender for the Stanley Cup this season. The Oilers won that game 3-0. Since then, the teams have gone in significantly different directions. The Flames (14-10-1) welcome the Oilers (10-14-2) to the Saddledome tonight in the second of five Battles of Alberta this season, and the first one hosted by Calgary.
TONIGHT
![](https://i1.wp.com/dev1.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/gdb.jpg?resize=621%2C443&ssl=1)
GAME DAY PREDICTION: The Flames are quicker and more physical in the first period, but the Oilers are the team parading to the penalty box. A pair of gorgeous Johnny Gaudreau goals have the Calgary fans smiling wide after one.
OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: The Oilers begin to find their game, scoring on a tic-tac-toe passing play from McDavid-to-Lucic-to-Puljujarvi. A late power-play goal by Calgary (Gaudreau again!) makes it 3-1 Flames after two.
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: The third period sees the Oilers play desperado hockey and tie the score on two brilliant goals (Nuge and Leon), and Edmonton goes ahead for a time on an Oscar Klefbom goal. Matt Tkachuk ties it late, Flames almost score on a filthy two-on-one (Tkachuk chop blocks Draisaitl, no call), and McDavid skates through everyone to score the winner. Edmonton goes to sleep happy, Calgary restless and uneasy.
GDB BROUGHT TO YOU BY SHERBROOKE LIQUOR
Take home a growler, a crowler, a sixer, a mixer, whatever. Sherbrooke Liquor. Where’s Your Beer?
Source: NHL, Official Game Page, 12/02/2017 – 11:00am MST
At the start of the season there was much debate a out which Alberta team’s roster was better. Reading the lineups today, I’m salavating at the Flames roster. Seems like our 4th line is the only one with any consistency. Hate to say it but the Flames have a brighter future at this point that the Oilers.
I would take drai and McDavid over Monahan and Gedreau any day of the week.
Sorry yes should have clarified. Our top 2 are hands down better it’s just the supporting cast which I feel lacks.
McDavid over Johnny for sure, but Monahan over Drai even more for sure…Monahan by far the most producting scorer from his draft and a strong 200 ft player.
My bet is on oilers outscoring the flames by one or two goals in what is a high scoring affair where the goalies don’t show up to play. McDavid will pop 3 points tonight if not more. It’s gunna be a fun one
Smith is the lost game interview, I don’t see him losing.
Gee smith is having a good night
Your a witch
The mighty Oil will win tonight. They need this and they’re going to pull it off.
I drove from the okanagan to CGY yesterday to see this game. If its anything like the TOR game it will be well worth it.
I just pray that EDM can figure out their special teams. GO OILERS!!
Like the Toronto game? You mean a game where neither team has any semblance of defense? Yeah that’s fun.?
Actually, low defence, high-scoring games are the most entertaining to watch. Imagine if every team played like Ottawa?
* shudders *
Not surprising you think bad hockey is entertaining
So, goal horns, screaming fans, heartbreaking moments, breathtaking comebacks, and repeated displays of skill all contribute to a boring game?
Thinking BEFORE posting…is what I’ve been doing lately. Don’t know if it’ll work for you.
Everyone’s different, right?
Season’s over but I’m interested to see if they “go to war” for Russell after that gaffe. If they come out the way they always do (poorly) then we’ll know that was a load of hot air.
Don’t see the Flames having an overall brighter future, but at this point don’t see the Oilers taking on this Flames team. With injuries and such I hate to say it, the Oilers will probably get spanked.
I’m curious as to why you think the Flames don’t have a bright future.
Calgary is going to win. Even if they don’t it’s not like the Oilers are making the play offs. #MoralVictory
Please explain, how losing to the Oilers consistently and giving them points = #MoralVictory ever.
You are getting desperate man, pathetically desperate.
Guaranteed win night for Edmonton!
Well without their goaltender and their best defenceman the Oilers ar3 as vulnerable as they will ever be.
If Calgary can’t beat them today,then they probably never will.
Prime time opportunity for the Flames.
Without their best Defenseman? Darnell Nurse isn’t in the lineup tonight?
Connor will own them, I don’t even worry
Jesse Puljujarvi looks poised to break out. He was shooting from everywhere last game and got zero puck luck. Look for a multi-point game tonight.
More likely an acne breakout than a multi point game.
Shooting from everywhere on the perimeter.
Gryba first pairing…..my confidometer is not even reading on this one. If Calgary can’t beat the Oil tonight they should burn down the dome and start breaking ground in Seattle
Oh, that’s BEEN started.
Losing all your hi’s and low’s, ain’t it funny how the feeling goes…
An already weak and depleted Oilers defence gets more depleted and weaker by the day. Gryba in the first pairing (shudders). Who would have thought the Oilers would have needed a legitimate replacement for Sekera over the summer. Obvious not the GM. Major fail.
Chia is just not a very good GM. Game has passed him by. Cap He’ll Chia.
**Hell
I think if we all put our mindset into believing making the playoffs would be an amazing accomplishment at this point the losses won’t hurt as much. Sucks but I think we just need to shift back a gear and hope for the best at this point.
So we’re running he same power play again tonight or has it changed again? What are the chances that special teams cost us again tonight?
Unfortunately, the Flames are going to destroy the Oil.
Oilers , due to limited defensive ability , about to implement the new Storm Offence system – the 4-3-1 Storm and Swarm offence . 4 forwards , 3 lines and one defenceman each line . PK will be 3 D-1W .
Davidson?
Montreal put on waivers. Take a shot for nothing.
The bleak odds of making the playoffs got even bleaker with the loss to Toronto and the injuries to the number one goalie AND number one defenseman.
Chia has about 12 months to reverse this team’s fortunes or he’s gone.
It’s a dangerous time when a GM fears he could lose his job. He could make rash, short-term moves to save it that could devastate the long term team prospects. (Eg what anthopolous did with the jays)
We got Davidson Back?? Twitter account says Oilers
It’s been like 8 hours since he was put on waivers. It’s a 24 hour window starting noon eastern time. Me thinks you are making things up. Where is your link?
Edit: looks like he didn’t change his twitter profile from this summer
(Tkachuk chop blocks Draisaitl, no call),
Probability……. very high.
If Dria can’t handle Tkachack there is something wrong with him
I am at stage 18, same place I have been December 1, for 9 of the last 10 years.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/goes-brown-20-stages-realizing-nhl-team-terrible/
Stage 18
“You wish them nothing but the same misery and sadness that they’ve spent the last few months inflicting on you. Burn the boats, salt the earth and let’s hit rock bottom.”
Ouch!
Am i the only person who would play 5d rather than dress gryba?
Whelp this is looking to be a grim affair. One can only pray that the puck luck is on our side and that maybe, just maybe, LB stands on his head after re-surging after that abysmal start against TOR.
I see McL have some believing in his shoot from anywhere and everywhere – being somehow good for something, other than a Corsi tick. OMG – wasting forward possession having Puljujarvi shoot at a goalie with a .0001 chance of scoring with no screen or no one at net??? There’s lot’s better things to do than that – for crying out loud. I cant believe that no one in that organization can stop the insanity.
Nylander can do it, why not Puljujarvi?
Use the force Jesse!
Great photoshop. Props!
https://mobile.twitter.com/TimNHL/status/937041283935170560/photo/1
There is the coach telling all of you off
So the Oil considered Pakarinen in their top 3 trade bait but the rest of the league doesn’t even attempt to claim him for nothing off waivers. How delusional is this franchise? Also pretty sad when this is what they consider trade bait. 10 years of top picks and a roster full of crap. Disgrace.
With goaltending out and a depleted defence and Russel scoring for the other team I highly doubt that the Oilers dried up offence can overwhelm the Flames ???
The oilers are filled with moles.
Chia still working for Boston
Todd still working for the Sharks
Last game we find out Russel is working for Toronto.
Nurse-Gryba????????
Seriously?????????
Is TMac trying to lose???
Have you ever watched a hockey game? Just when I thought it was fun to read and chat hockey on here I realize it’s a bunch of clueless 12 year olds with keyboards.