[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Edmonton.

If you've caught their games they're getting strong goaltending from Nilsson, Nurse has bolstered their defense from the top down by knocking everybody else down the rung, the Hall-Draisaitl line is one of the best in the NHL right now, and they'll get McDavid back next month. For all the talk of the Flames "turning it around", they've been pacing us for the same stretch and look to get back Pouliot, Yakupov, and McDavid which is an entire 2nd line.

Soon they'll have Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as their #3 center on a third line with a highly skilled winger in Eberle which is just unfair - no team has that much forward depth in the whole league. Their "filler" wingers are good players - Khaira, Purcell, and Pouliot. Their 4th line, while not a second 3rd line or anything, is a very solid energy line with guys like Hendricks, Lestestu, Korpikoski bringing the compete up a notch,

Their power play is also one of the most dangerous in the league which can keep them in games they've been otherwise outplayed.

Really though, it goes back to Hall and Draisaitl. They move the puck up through neutral ice in an instant for dangerous chances all night. It all starts with their defensive play, where that line is very rough to get good chances against. Draisaitl will be a #1 Center in the NHL if he's not already as he's one hell of a skater with a complete skillset and high IQ.

Don't be surprised if both the Oilers and Flames are in a dog fight for 3rd until the end of the season and maybe even 2nd as Anaheim is no lock.

I'm actually hoping the Oilers are at least in the playoff race late into the season if only to protect the careers of the top 5 prospects in the upcoming draft. As long as the Oilers take a step from all-time worst NHL franchise to continual mediocrity like the Winnipeg Jets all will be good for Flames fans.