Oilers just execute everything better than the Flames right now. Their defence even executes better. That's unacceptable. That is what the difference was tonight.
I thought Hathaway and Glass did well. I wouldn't pull them out of the lineup. The 3M line had spurts of good play. That's about it. The defence was non-existent at times. Oilers had last change, but Gulutzan wasn't able to get the Monahan line away from the McDavid line enough (was it even a thought?).
If it wasn't for Smith's REALLY strong play, this may have been an ugly game. I thought this game was fairly lopsided in the Oilers' favor. I really do think it comes down to execution. I hope this is just opening night jitters and nothing more. Oilers played a very strong game tonight, and I am hoping that the Flames just came out flat. There is no excuse for that, but the alternative is even harder to take.
Oh well, hopefully they regroup and collectively pull their heads out of their butts for next game. Way too many chances against. Smith was probably feeling that Arizona was a stronger defensive club than the Flames are.
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