[Cali Panthers Fan]

Thoughts on the game:

Officiating-I didn't have a big problem with the calls that were made. I thought they got it right almost every time, but that Zadorov call to end the first simply didn't happen, and they missed a few picks/interference plays that the Oilers committed. The no goal calls were fine for both teams. The even up calls were fine too. My only problem was that they felt the need to insert themselves into the game, where if they simply don't call some of those scrum plays, there's a lot more flow to the game. That lack of flow really hurt the Flames more than the Oilers. The 4 on 4's and PP's favour Edmonton's game plan much more than the Flames who would rather play 5 on 5.

Oilers-I thought their defensive play was improved quite a bit, and Smith played well. Again, the flow of the Flames attack was severely affected by the number of calls in the game. McDavid is unreal right now, and Hyman continues to be a problem that needs solving. Draisaitl is capitalizing on McDavid's play and nothing more. Nurse is brutal out there and a cheap shot artist.

Flames-As said above, couldn't get back into their game after all the calls. I thought Zadorov had a brutal game trying to defend McDavid, but many have struggled with him. Didn't love the duo of Hanifin/Andersson tonight, thought they were walked a few too many times. I actually think Markstrom was pretty great tonight, they just gave up far too many high quality chances against. I don't know what save people thought he should have made outside of Keith's early goal. A little scrambly at times, but he bailed his team out time and again. I didn't like the top line's game at all. Tkachuk was far too focused on agitating and took some dumb penalties. Gaudreau couldn't get on track, and Lindholm was fairly invisible while also taking a dumb penalty of his own. Lines 2-4 were better, but they needed one of those lines to make a big momentum shift later in the game, and it didn't happen. Really ####ing hated Coleman's goalie interference penalty. Just ####ing stupid.

Lessons were learned tonight. Stay out of the box. Maintain discipline. Play strong 5 on 5 hockey. Play with emotion but don't cross the line. Don't play too aggressively against McDavid because he'll torch you every time. Back off on him and let him skate around the perimeter. Just stick with the other players and he won't have anyone to pass to. You still might get beat, but it's better than having wide open players for them to tap in.