It's do or die tonight for the Calgary Flames. If they lose tonight there is no tomorrow for them and that makes them very dangerous people. Edmonton started playing their best hockey when they were faced with elimination by the LA Kings, down 3-2 in the series. While Calgary is in a deeper hole, down 3-1 that does not mean it is insurmountable for them to come back. Last night we saw the St. Louis Blues down 3-0 in an elimination game fight to tie the game up only for Nathan MacKinnon to score the best goal of the playoffs thus far with just a few minutes remaining. The Blues fought back once more to tie the game with just under a minute remaining and then go on to win in overtime. Anything can happen in playoff hockey.

For the Edmonton Oilers, they cannot afford to think that it isn't a big deal to lose tonight because they will have another chance to clinch at home in a couple of days because suddenly the Calgary Flames could win two straight games and then we are dealing with a Game 7 in Calgary. All focus needs to be on the Edmonton Oilers playing their best game of the playoffs tonight and clinching their spot in the Western Conference Finals.

Connor McDavid was held to only one assist in the last game, as well as a second assist on the empty net goal. It's rare to see the Oilers captain shut down and I don't think it's breaking news to suggest he could be gunning for his best game yet tonight. The McDavid-Draisaitl-Kane line continues to be a dominant force and Flames coach Darryl Sutter continues to just try and combat that line power vs power with the Lindholm-Tkachuk-Gaudreau line. That stubbornness has not paid off for the Flames as the Oilers top line has outscored their opposition 7-0 at 5 on 5. Calgary gets the last change with home ice advantage tonight and I wonder if we will see Sutter finally try something else to try and shut down this elite line.

As was the case in Game 4, the Oilers will need their complimentary players to step up and find ways to chip in and be the "one player" that beats the Calgary Flames. Zach Hyman has stepped up and been that player and in Game 4 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was the hometown hero. I would like to see Kailer Yamamoto, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Ryan McLeod find ways to get involved tonight and chip in at least one goal to the Oilers totals.

Quick congratulations to Evander Kane and his girlfriend, model Mara Teigan on the birth of their son Iverson Frank Kane. Kane was not with the team at practice yesterday but he is fully expected to be with the team tonight.

Chris Tanev returned to the Flames lineup in Game 4 and while the fancy numbers were favorable to him, it's also clear that he is no where near at 100%. Tanev did participate in the Flames morning skate and it seems likely that he will be in the lineup for Game 5. Currently he is paired with Kylington who struggled, particularly on what ended up being the game winning goal for RNH in the last game. Edmonton needs to attack this duo aggressively and pressure them in their own end and try and force them into positions where they will make mistakes.

Once again, coming out strong and scoring first needs to be the priority for the Edmonton Oilers. They are undefeated in this post-season when they have the first goal and they can put the Flames on their heels quickly if they can find a way to put one past Markstrom early.

With all this discussion about the Oilers top line and secondary players, the real key to victory for Edmonton tonight might have to be Mike Smith. The 40 year old netminder nearly cost the team dearly on an 132 foot goal that tied the game on Tuesday. If Calgary ends up winning that game we suddenly have a tied series where Edmonton needs to win 2 of 3 games, with two of them being in Calgary. In Game 1 against the LA Kings, Smith made a mistake that arguably lost them that game and then came back with a shutout in Game 2. The Flames are going to be firing from all directions tonight and Edmonton's starter needs to on his A game.

Oh and bench Josh Archibald.

This Battle of Alberta has been everything that fans in Edmonton have hoped for thus far and capping it off with a win tonight in Calgary, silencing the Flames fans would be a great end. A strong team effort from start to finish for the Oilers is the best way to try and make that happen.

I hope everyone enjoys the game tonight!

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