Flames: 20-15-3, 43 points, 5th in the Pacific, 9th in the West, 16th in NHL
Oilers: 8-22-7, 23 points, 7th in the Pacific, 14th in the West, 30th in NHL
Tonight is a New Year's Eve game which makes one pause and look back at the last calendar year, in that time (which is nearly a full 82 game season) the Flames have gone 41-35-4 for 86 points, not quite enough for a playoff spot, but dang close. That includes the recent 8 game winless streak (0-7-1) and a streak to start January of last year of 2-7-1 where they couldn't buy a goal. 14 of their 35 losses came in two rough periods that are bound to occur with a lot of young players in the lineup. Also, in that calendar year, the Oilers have gone 24-42-11 for 59 points. Awful, awful numbers.
So a few days have passed and the Oilers are all of a sudden a very different looking team. A trade was made for a player on waivers (for some reason, still can't figure that one out) who instantly solidifies their top 2 lines. Roy isn't a great player, but he's certainly a capable NHLer who will provide stability and experience at the center position. Rumours abound of the notion to send Draisaitl back to junior to finish the year, and while that makes sense from an organizational standpoint, they will still be one center short unless they make another deal. They also picked up a banger in Matt Fraser from the Bruins in a waiver transaction. A 6'1" and 205 lb. pound winger developed by a winning organization can only help them at this point. He's no more than a 4th liner, but the Oilers had mediocre AHL players in that role before, so he's an upgrade.
These aren't the bold, world-beating moves that MacT promised when he took over, but they are solid sensible moves to help round out a roster that has always had promise, but failed to deliver time and time again. They are stop gaps, plain and simple, but when you're bleeding profusely from an open wound, it's smart to at least put a bandage on to stop the bleeding. It paid off in their first game with the club too. Fraser didn't have an exceptional first game, but was ok enough for the Oilers. Roy had a decent game despite getting cut badly on his arm requiring stitches. He set up Matt Hendricks for a goal and played an average overall game for his first game. I found these player grades following the game rather interesting. Of particular note was how badly the writer beats up on some players:
Time will tell if these players will make a difference to a team that has consistently found ways to lose, but a win is a win, especially over a team like the Kings. The monkey is temporarily off the Oilers back, which means one of two things: They might have more confidence tonight against the Flames, or they might relax and play a little less desperate and get creamed on the second night of back to backs playing on the road. I vote the latter.
I vote that way because the Flames have their own 3 game win streak, with two of those wins coming against the Kings, who were red hot coming into those games. The Flames played a suffocating brand of defense allowing very few quality scoring chances, and when they did Hiller has been there to make quality saves. He's not playing lights out, but he's playing the way an experienced #1 goaltender does, with poise and calm demeanor. That's comforting to see as neither goaltender was getting the job done for a period of time. The Flames return to defensive structure has helped vault their position in goals against a few spots to the top half of the league and their 5 on 5 F/A ratio back into the top 10 at 1.11. The 3 game win streak has pushed the Flames goal differential to a double digit number again as well, good for 4th in the West just behind St. Louis.
Flames practiced yesterday with Backlund, McGrattan, and Raymond all in green jerseys, indicating that Raymond will be a healthy scratch tonight as Jooris should be ready to make his return. Scrivens played last night and made 37 saves plus the shootout. I would be shocked to see him start after so much work last night, but he's playing well and giving his team a chance. Fasth has been pretty awful of late too. Traditional hockey sense would tell you that Fasth will start, but I can see a case being made to give it to Scrivens.
Flames need to take the Oilers seriously tonight because that LA game probably gave them a lot of confidence.
Go Flames!
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As mentioned in the write up - its a lose lose for the oilers heading into the game.
Scrivens has to be fatigued after lastnight & Fasth can't seem to make it out of a period.
The flames have sent Raymond to the press box which should light a fire under a handful of players tails as its a subtle reminder that nobody is safe from being scratched.
On paper, this should be a blowout but in reality, the oilers have won so few games that nobody knows how they follow last night up.
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Today is a good day. Wife is all horned up to watch some hockey, so the WJ's will be on all day while we clean, then we watch the Flames game.
With how the Flames have been playing, she is getting more and more invested. We watched a handful of games last year and she was excited to see them play hard, but disappointed that they couldn't catch a break. This year she is super excited for the guys to get a reward or two this season.
I'm really, really hoping for an absolute massacre. WE WANT 10!! WE WANT 10!!
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the oilers game last night seemed to be their best game of the season (i stopped watching mid 3rd). They didn't give the kings much.
I think tonight will likely be a tough game. I think the team that is able to score first will have a massive advantage. If the oilers score first, they'll be carrying quite a bit of momentum over from last game.
Going to the game tonight! Hopefully the flames can close out a good 2014 with a win!
Anyone here know what their record has been for this calendar year? The second half a last season and the start of this season has me very optimistic for this team going forward.
We've won 3 in a row since Jooris has been out. Where are all the posts about him wrecking chemistry and such or does that only apply when veterans come back from injury?
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Sadly it's a 3-2 OT loss. Start of the Oilers win streak that gets the fans believing in something special again. Klefbom will get points like crazy for a stretch and they'll think he's special. Just enough to have no shot at Eichel
Flames vs. Oilers, NYE game, 7:30 pm, SN/SN1
