Update: Tanev is out. Stone draws in. Lines updated below.
After breakdowns of both the technical and personal aspects of the upcoming series’, there is little left to be said before this historic Battle of Alberta second round series.
Let’s just go over a few keys to victory. Feel free to hop over into the last two pieces for more in-depth coverage. They’re linked at the bottom.
Pressuring Down Low
Let’s start on the Flames offence.
As we reviewed two days ago, roughly 41% of the Flames goals against the Oilers this season involved a pass within ten feet of the net line.
The Oilers defence has issues handling the puck carrier down low. They also have issues protecting the front of the net.
Nurse-Ceci
Keith-Bouchard
Kulak-Barrie
Against this group (as well as the odd appearance of Broberg, Lagesson or Neimelainen) the Flames scored 65% of their goals within 20 feet of the net. Regardless of their sublimely talented centers, the Oilers will be in hot water if their blue line can’t defend adequately.
Pressuring Up High
In terms of defending the Oilers, it’s either off the rush or after some point shot chaos.
Making minor adjustments to give Evan Bouchard, Tyson Barrie and Darnell Nurse less space may be necessary.
As for defending the rush, and more importantly, Connor McDavid; the team will need to get a plan going. One has to wonder if Darryl Sutter called up his old buddy Rob Blake, general manager of the LA Kings to see if his organization had any lessons to impart after losing in seven games to the Oilers.
From watching that series, Kings defensemen were backing off nearly to the red line in order to not get blown past when Connor got the puck. A strategy that actually worked pretty well for a few games.
The advantage the Flames have over the Kings is that their club’s overall skating is much better. They also have one of the faster defensemen in the league in Oliver Kylington. While the 24 year old Swede has had a shakey playoff experience thus far, he has shown he can keep stride with McDavid in the past.
Pressing Buttons
Evander Kane, Darnell Nurse, Zach Kassian. What do they all have in common?
Dumb penalties.
The potential for one of these guys to be strung along is certainly real. Darnell led the team in minus penalty differential this season at -18. Evander was a -11. The two have a combined 32PIM in seven playoff games this postseason.
Goalie Battle
Jacob Markstrom vs. Mike Smith is going to be another intense goalie battle. It’s rather pointless to compare their stats after they played two very different series against the Kings and Stars, but posting them at least makes the point that they’re betting the series sharp.
Jacob Markstrom
4-3
Goals Against: 11
Shots Against: 192
Sv%: .943
GAA: 1.53
Mike Smith
4-3
Goals Against: 16
Shots Against: 260
Sv%: .938
GAA: 2.29
Another factor here is the potential for injury. Smith has a long-standing issue with his groin that could turn into a problem during any given sequence of play.
Likewise, Jacob Markstrom has missed extended periods of time due to injury over his career. Either could get hurt this series and suddenly the narrative changes.
Flames Lines
These are yesterday’s practice lines courtesy of Pat Steinberg. @Fan960Steinberg
Tanev was at morning skate this morning, so it’s safe to assume he’s ready to go.
Lines will be updated at warmup.
Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Dube-Jarnkrok-Toffoli
Lucic-Lewis-Ritchie
Hanifin-Andersson
Kylington-Stone
Zadorov-Gudbranson
Markstrom
Vladar
Oilers Lines
Projected.
Kane-McDavid-Yamamoto
McLeod-Draisaitl-Hyman
Archibald-RNH-Puljujarvi
Foegele-Ryan-Kassian
Nurse-Ceci
Keith-Bouchard
Kulak-Barrie
Smith
Koskinen
A New Chapter
The best part of this series starting is the drama we get to see unfold. While it’s fun to look back on the goalie fight or Kassian losing his mind and throwing an important game, now we get the next development in the story. A tale that we haven’t reached the climax of yet. So, instead of stressing the outcome for the next two weeks, take this wonderful thought from Kelsey Snow with you and remember to breathe.
Game time is 7:30pm mst.
Trevor Neufeld
Statistics via naturalstattrick.com, nhl.com, dobberhockey.com, moneypuck.com and hockeyfights.com.
@Trevor_Neufeld
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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