PREVIEW: Oilers vs. Flames
Monday, February 25th, 2019The Oilers open up the 2017-18 year tonight at Rogers Position towards the Calgary Flames.You could view tonight’s sport acro s Canada on Sportsnet or listen by way of 630 CHED along with the Oilers Radio Network.Online video: OILERS Nowadays | vs Flames Pre-GameRead the sport preview down below and test back after early morning skate for a pre-game report, lineup updates, films, prices and even more.Video: THE PANEL | Time Opener Preview YOUR GAME-DAY ESSENTIALSBY THE NUMBERS2016-17 Head-to-Head: Oilers vs. FlamesOilers/Flames Stats ComparisonGame Notes: Oilers vs. Flames2016-17 Oilers Player Statistics2016-17 Flames Participant Statistics2016-17 NHL StandingsGAME Day VIDEOOILERS These days | Chris Wescott reviews on the critical storylines previous to tonight’s gamePRE-GAME Uncooked | StromePRE-GAME Uncooked | LucicPRE-GAME Uncooked | McDavidPRE-GAME Raw | YamamotoPRE-GAME Raw | Oilers head mentor Todd McLellanTHE OTHER Aspect | Flames pre-game interviewsTUESDAY’S VIDEOSPRACTICE | Reigniting the BattleRAW | Peter ChiarelliRAW | MaroonRAW | Ka sianRAW | Mentor Todd McLellanTUESDAY’S Blogs & ARTICLESFEATURE: The Return of SlepyshevBLOG: Chiarelli intends to be patient with defenceBLOG: Chiarelli knew Yamamoto would turn headsBLOG: Kelly staying closeBLOG: Katz comments on team expectationsBLOG: Oilers a sign Slepyshev to BakersfieldGAME PROGRAMTonight’s Sport ProgramMORE INFORMATIONYou can enjoy tonight’s video game throughout Canada on Sportsnet.Set your lineup for tonight with Oilers Fantasy Hockey UPDATESInside The Oilers BlogINSIDE THE OILERSNews and notes from Tuesday’s Oilers practice and media availability, including an interview with GM Peter Chiarelli. >> READ Additional Connor McDavid Jersey IN THE INSIDE THE OILERS BLOGPRE-GAME REPORTEDMONTON, AB – Flip the page.Because Chapter 38 in the Book of Oilers begins Wednesday.Plenty happened in the last section: the club acce sed the post-season for the first time since 2005-06; signed franchise fixtures Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to long-term contracts; inked support players Zack Ka sian, Kris Ru sell, Eric Gryba and Ju si Jokinen; acquired Ryan Strome and added 2017 first-rounder (22nd-overall) Kailer Yamamoto to the mix.Now, pen meets paper as the script continues.”It’s like school’s starting over again,” said Oilers Head Mentor Todd McLellan. “It’s the first exam we’re going to take. The cla sroom is prepared but have they paid attention? Have they done their homework? Are they ready to apply what they’ve learned and how well can they do it?”Each le son is a module for these young Oilers. In 2015-16, McDavid was introduced to the National Hockey League and suffered a clavicle injury that kept him sidelined for 37 games.In the 2016-17 campaign, Edmonton coursed through the period unscathed. Cam Talbot solidified his stature as a https://www.styleoilers.com/edmonton-oilers-jersey/zack-kassian-jersey certified starting keeper, Draisaitl emerged as a bonafide scorer along with the team’s blueline established their match.”The cla sroom may be further ahead now,” McLellan, in sticking with the school theme, said. “The way it’s constructed, the absorption of how we want to play, the experience and depth. All of those factors are a little bit further down the line but what I can tell you is that it doesn’t guarantee succe s.”STOKING THE FLAMESIn the 2016-17 season-opening edition of the Battle of Alberta, the Flames were doused 7-4 in the first-ever regular period match at Rogers Place.Calgary’s re-tooled their team over the off-season, adding veteran keeper Mike Smith, stalwart defenceman Travis Hamonic and are expected to sign the Agele s Wonder Jaromir Jagr, who will not play Wednesday.”It’s a big activity already, honestly,” said Oilers Captain McDavid. “Divisional points are huge.”Calgary holds the active record for the longest winle s streak in a season opener, riding a seven-game skid (0-6-1). Combine that with the bitter fact that the Oilers defeated the Flames each meeting in 2016-17 and there’s sure to be some motivation for the visiting club.”I think they’ll be the first ones to tell you that losing all the games towards us last year really hurt them in the playoff push,” said McDavid. “Ultimately they got in but it puts you behind the 8-ball.”ALTERNATE CAPTAIN ADAMBefore Edmonton hit the ice for pre-game skate, the club announced defenceman Adam Lar son as an alternate captain. Internally, it was an easy decision to make.”The choice was unanimous when we pulled the coaches and when we brought the leadership group in, it was as close to unanimous as could be,” said McLellan. “They were very supportive of it.”Lar son scored very high in his first period as an Oiler, registering four goals, 15 a sists and 19 points in 79 games. He ended the campaign plus-21 and excelled in the post-season. The Swede tallied two goals and four a sists in 13 playoff games, providing a calming presence on the again end.”The way he came into a new organization plus the way he played last year, he deserves it,” said fellow compatriot and defence partner Oscar Klefbom.LINEUP NOTESFour skaters will be playing their first video game with the Oilers: Yamamoto, Strome and Jokinen.Yamamoto is expected to start over the second line with centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and left winger Milan Lucic. “I’m sure he’ll be nervous tonight, that’ll be normal,” said McDavid of Yamamoto’s debut. “But once he gets settled in, it’s just another game.”Fellow newcomers Strome and Jokinen will converge on a line with Drake Caggiula. Strome will play centre.Oilers expected lines:Maroon – McDavid – DraisaitlLucic – RNH – YamamotoCaggiula – Strome – JokinenKhaira – Letestu – Ka sianKlefbom – Lar sonRu sell – BenningNurse – GrybaTalbotBro soit– Paul Gazzola, EdmontonOilers.comPREVIEWOILERS (0-0-0) vs. FLAMES (0-0-0)TV: 8:00 p.m. MDT; Televised on SportsnetHead-to-Head:Edmonton and Calgary met four times last period, with the Oilers winning all four contests. It was the first time the Oilers had ever taken every single matchup towards the Flames in a single season.This year, this is the first of five meetings between the teams. After tonight, they’ll meet December 2 in Calgary, January 25 in Edmonton and March 13 and 31 in Calgary.Oilers team scope:All eyes, of course, will be on Connor McDavid just after his outstanding 100-point period Andrew Ference Jersey last year. McDavid picked up right where he left off in the pre-season leading the NHL with 10 points in five games played. … Kailer Yamamoto could make his NHL debut tonight. The 2017 first-round Oilers draft pick had an outstanding pre-season with five goals (to lead the NHL) and six points in six games. … Leon Draisaitl looks to build on his career highs last time with 29 goals and 77 points in 82 games. … Ryan Strome makes his Oilers debut tonight right after being acquired this offseason from the New York Islanders in exchange for Jordan Eberle.Flames team scope:Jaromir Jagr will likely not play tonight for the Flames as Calgary announced its opening day roster on Tuesday and number 68 was not on it. Calgary boasts one of the top bluelines in the NHL in Mark Giordano, TJ Brodie, Dougie Hamilton and Travis Hamonic in their top four. Calgary’s leading scorer last season was Johnny Gaudreau with eighteen goals and 61 points in 72 games. Sean Monahan led the team in goals with 27 in 82 contests.By The Numbers:Neither the Flames nor Oilers have ever had a player record a hat trick in their season-opening video game. … Calgary hasn’t won in each of their last seven season openers (0-6-1). … Jaromir Jagr has the NHL record for most career points in season openers with 13 goals and 39 points.Injury Report:Oilers defenceman Andrej Sekera (knee) is out.– Marc Ciampa, EdmontonOilers.com