The Calgary Flames visited the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night in the third edition of 2018-19’s Battle of Alberta. In a game punctuated by a ton of minor penalties, the Flames scored three second period goals and held on for a 5-2 win over the Oilers.
The Rundown
The first period was the hockey equivalent of ping-pong. There weren’t a ton of great chances, but the teams skated well and it had some decent pace. Shots were 14-6 Flames and scoring chances were 2-2.
After not being able to bury anything in the opening frame, the Flames grabbed hold of the game in the second period. Connor McDavid couldn’t bury a chance on David Rittich on the rush and the play went the other way, with Johnny Gaudreau beating Mikko Koskinen between the legs to give the Flames a 1-0 lead.
"woo-hoo" – Jonathan "ice hockey" Gaudreau pic.twitter.com/HeUYnyLbMx
— FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) January 20, 2019
Much of the rest of the period featured a bunch of penalties. With Mark Giordano in the box for a double-minor, Mikael Backlund drew a penalty. When Giordano’s penalty expired he joined the Flames’ power play. Sean Monahan’s initial shot on Koskinen was stopped and the Oilers netminder flopped onto his belly to grab the puck. He couldn’t freeze it, though, and Giordano jammed it in out front to give the Flames a 2-0 lead.
Behind the scenes: this goal was so good my computer had to shutdown in the process of giffing it pic.twitter.com/2yi2pA9szt
— FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) January 20, 2019
Late in the period Flames made it 3-0. Off a face-off win, Mikael Backlund made a dandy tape-to-tape cross-zone pass to a pinching Oliver Kylington, who beat Koskinen five-hole to extend the Flames’ lead.
Kylington from Backlund. Made in Sweden pic.twitter.com/J3Bv1QE7qW
— FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) January 20, 2019
But the Oilers broke David Rittich’s shutout bid with just 17.8 seconds remaining in the second period during a stretch of four on four. Jesse Puljujarvi and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins broke into the Flames zone on a two-on-two rush and Nugent-Hopkins beat Rittich high to make it a 3-1 game.
Shots were 10-10 Oilers and chances were 7-1 Oilers.
The Oilers drew closer early in the third period. TJ Brodie took a minor penalty and Derek Ryan was stopped on a shorthanded breakaway. Before Brodie’s penalty expired, Milan Lucic tipped a point shot past Rittich to make it a 3-2 game.
But that’s as close as the Oilers got. Mikael Backlund snatched an errant pass from Caleb Jones just inside the Oilers blueline, beating Koskinen with a wrister to give the Flames a 4-2 lead.
Keeps it 300, like the Romans pic.twitter.com/KAiZOeFHIq
— FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) January 20, 2019
Monahan made it 5-2 on a late power play, flipping his own rebound over Koskinen.
check out the guy behind Monahan lol pic.twitter.com/Ym05q8XY4W
— FlamesNation (@FlamesNation) January 20, 2019
Shots were 10-8 Flames in the third period, with scoring chances 4-3 Flames.
Why the Flames Won
For a team playing their second game in as many nights, the Flames had some good jump all game long. They battled well. They didn’t get suckered into anything physical, and they took advantage of what was given to them. And 24 hours after their special teams had to bail them out, they got strong contributions from pretty much ever line at even strength.
Red Warrior
Among prospect honks, Gaudreau developed the nickname “Big Game Johnny” during his college years because he just found a way to factor into big games. When he’s emotionally engaged, Gaudreau is one of the very best in the game. He was noticeable every time he hit the ice.
The Turning Point
Kylington’s goal held up as the game-winner, but it was the goal the Oilers couldn’t afford to give up. Already down a pair to a strong offensive team, they let a rookie defender sneak down from the point and get wide open for a pass from Backlund.
The Numbers
(Percentage stats are 5-on-5, data via Corsica.Hockey)
| Player | Corsi For% |
OZone Start% |
Game Score |
| Mangiapane | 75.0 | 50.0 | 0.100 |
| Ryan | 66.7 | 33.3 | 0.495 |
| Hathaway | 60.0 | 50.0 | 0.200 |
| Andersson | 58.3 | 83.3 | 0.250 |
| Jankowski | 55.6 | 25.0 | 0.040 |
| Kylington | 54.6 | 83.3 | 1.075 |
| Bennett | 54.6 | 25.0 | 0.300 |
| Gaudreau | 47.6 | 40.0 | 1.925 |
| Giordano | 47.6 | 41.7 | 1.450 |
| Tkachuk | 42.9 | 25.0 | 0.850 |
| Brodie | 42.9 | 41.7 | -0.175 |
| Lindholm | 42.1 | 36.4 | 0.990 |
| Monahan | 39.1 | 40.0 | 2.095 |
| Hamonic | 39.1 | 20.0 | 0.300 |
| Frolik | 38.9 | 83.3 | 0.925 |
| Neal | 37.5 | 83.3 | 0.750 |
| Hanifin | 37.5 | 20.0 | 0.550 |
| Backlund | 36.4 | 71.4 | 1.850 |
| Rittich | — | — | 0.700 |
| Smith | — | — | — |
This and That
Gaudreau’s second period goal extended his points streak to a career-high 11 games. His assist on Monahan’s goal was his 362nd point in his 362nd NHL game.
Giordano’s assist on Gaudreau’s goal put him at the 50-point mark, giving the Flames five players with 50+ points. No other team has more than three.
Backlund’s goal was his 300th career point.
Up Next
The Flames (32-13-5) head back to Calgary tonight. They’re off on Sunday, then prepare to host the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday evening in their final game prior to the extended All-Star (and CBA) break.
They have 69 points and are presently first in the Pacific Division and Western Conference. Nice.
You know you have depth issues if Chaisson is on your first line. Glad that is an Oiler problem now and not ours anymore.
That Backlund steal and goal was a thing of beauty. Also, shout out to the Flames fans up in Edmonton chanting GFG while Hitchcock was on afterhours. Enjoy the win fellas!
Such a great feeling to beat Edmonton, especially in their rink. We are looking good fellow Nation, looking good…
Stockton won tonight – Parsons with 49 saves! Looking forward to SF’s version of the flip flop games they played (thinking goaltender may be a reason)…
Glenn Gawdin with 3 Points as well. He’s quietly having a decent rookie AHL season.
Beating the Oilers especially in their own barn on HNIC never gets old. Hell of a good performance by the Flames on a back to back.
WE ROCK!
Backlund was great tonight. Great rebound game by a true professional. Clutch goal and some great defensive plays.
WW
Inbred degenerate alert…..!
WW
In protest, I’ll cheers you instead. Even though I agree with the Inbred this time.
Same. This imposter BS is super irritating.
This particular inbred makes some pretty good and accurate comments. I just can’t hate him. Plus he gets under WW’s skin which is kinda fun to watch lol. He’s way easier to take than those lame Coiler trolls. He doesn’t name call even though names are called on him. As far as trolls go this one I can live with. But accurate comments make it hard to call him a troll too.
Give it up man! So lame!!!
CBC said Oilers first period High Danger Chances= 6.
I concur.
The Koskinen Robbery where he trapped Johnny’s short-side snipe on the post.
Behind his back???
Johnny had a mission.
Johnny got a penalty, Johnny came back angry.
Johnny’s goal after the McD miss was poetry.
Johnny Hockey wins.
Gio’s celly after his goal is pure Captain.
Mark Giordano is Leadership.
Derek Ryan did his best Michael Backlund.
Michael Backlund was slightly better, as himself.
Mangiapane wins corsi… in a 5-minute sample, and the Flames dished it out and took it for 60 minutes. 5v5 win+ Special teams win= Great BOA#3!
WIN IN EDMONTON!
Oh little johnny…gonna disappear yet again this playoffs lol
Playoffs. Feels good to be in the drivers seat don’t it Trollsy?
Wait. Were you alive the last time the oilers were in first going into the break? if you were, imagine how great it must feel. If not? It’s okay. It’s been a while.
Speaking of small players dissapearing. Not like yamamoto from your weak roster?
It was also quite satisfying to watch the trolls fade away as the results became inevitable.
I have no idea how BT is going to get us out of the expansion draft unscathed……but who cares when we win a cup or two…?!
WW
We only lose one player anyways, same as every other team.
Actually this is easy. Offer a second round pick to take James Neal.
2 goals from the defence. 2 from our #1 line. 1 from our “shut down” centre man. Does that qualify as balanced scoring?? Seriously, trolling cOiler fans is the equivalent of kicking puppies. Their defence is the equivalent of a screen door on a submarine. Sad. #newgmsoon
Backlund was +3… Just because the defence scores doesn’t mean the line out their doesn’t matter.
I’m just glad dumb and dumber (lucic and kassian) didn’t do anything stupid tonight. Kassian tried it when he ran Gio into the boards but other than that it was fairly civilized.
That was a pretty nasty crosscheck on Johnny though.
True. But not really something that’s going to put him out of the game or anything. Not that I agree with it it he got two minutes.
Well ask Gretzky why he had to retire early after 1998-99 instead of 1999-2000 like he was personally planning on. Ask Mario why he had to retire, it wasn’t because of cancer. 1000 of those crosschecks in a career take their toll. I can somewhat relate to it, it’s not fun when you get older.
that pic of Gio shows a leader, not a petulant little man/boi who throws his blood covered helmet covering his team in mcsissie hair blood. drisuck just sucks for that payday. JP looked alright and will get traded. GREAT GAME FLAMES!!!! Put the mcwelfares int heir rightful place.
That was a pretty good lump Hathaway gave him!!!
After his goal you could see he’s a man on a mission.He’ll drag anyone who’s not pulling this year, all the way…
Where are all the COiler ? trolls? Drinking away the pain of another lost season I suspect. Do McDavid a favour and trade him out of that dump.
They are on their ON thread trash talking calgary. It’s funny you read posts from intelligent people. (As intelligent as it gets up there.) And their own troll are trolling themselves. Pure chaos and complete anarchy over there. Good win by the boys tonight. Oilers are sheep and the fans are wolves ready to rip them apart. Puts a smile on my face and a tear to my eye.
Wats worse…not making the playoffs or going out in four straight yet again?
Probably being a perennial doormat…sleep well sweet prince.
Oilers should just put on a draft day parade. It IS their playoffs/Stanley Cup, after all.
Poor, poor McDavid. Like a diamond nestled snugly in a huge pile of crap.
This is the only comeback this goon has. Browsed through ON and only has this to say. Flames are better than the Oilers at every aspect of the game. Lol, you’ve made playoffs once in the last 10 plus years. Let that soak in.
Monahan is now 3 points shy of his career best at game 50 of the season. Johnny hockey is 11 back of his career best with 32 games to go. Lindholm and Tkuchuk already at career years and Gio is 4 back of his career best.
Wowee. what a team!
Flames played pretty well tonight through all the lines. But that was a game that almost got away from us due to bad luck/not finishing. First, the Koskinen ‘save’ by the rules is a save, but that was a goal and everyone knows it…. especially cause he slumped down and back later in the sequence when Johnny was pointing and his glove was fully in the net. Ryan… hitting the post on the breakaway…. that game could’ve got ugly.
Felt like we let the foot off the gas a little after 3-0 and really needed to clamp down at the end of the 2nd there…. just get it deep and get out of the period up 3-0. Instead…. we let them back in, and at 3-2 it could’ve gone sideways.
Nice to see our big guys all show up Gaudreau, Gio, Monahan, Tkachuk, …. Lindholm quietly had a super solid game and Backlund and Frolik were solid like always. They made is pretty easy for Dave, and he made the saves he needed to make….. a little scary with the puck, but… we won. Also nice when their ‘other star’ Draisaitl is a ghost. You know that Gio only has 4 pts less than Draisaitl in the same GP? And he’s our fifth highest scorer… and he’s a defenseman… and he makes 2 million AAV less.
Lol at that draisatl vs gio comparison. I mean there’s some nuance to be had there, but the simple comparisom definitely makes me laugh.
I’m not overly concerned about the slide in play after the 3-0 lead, tough to keep the intensity up in a back-to-back. The important part is they picked it back up when the game got close again.
Pool party was way better than Drai that game. Better hand the guy 8.5, ASAP!
8.6
Kassian looks like he spends more time in a bowling alley than a hockey rink. Haha. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the fact he’s skated on the COilers top line at times this season. Wow what a tire fire.
We put the boots to that sad excuse of a team. Man the COilers are pathetic! Half of there roster is waiver claims and ptos. Eat it COilers ?
Backlund haters please stand up. Now sit. And shuddy.
Who’s happy Peters is the first flames coach to have him work on his shot?
Ballsdeep.
I am not a Backlund hater.
It’s just my opinion that he is not a top 6 center offensively and that using Corsi to claim that he is, is stupid.
He’s a good player. I’d just prefer that he was 3C.
Agree 100%, If he’s your 3rd line center, this team is a true cup contender. If he’s a 2nd line center…let’s just say A LOT has to go right to win it all.
5-2
*mic drop*
The 4th line has looked pretty good these last few games. This may keep czarnik in the press box for the foreseeable future.
They’re crying about McDavid being “targeted” all night over at oilersnation. And then they suggest that they should do “the same” to Johnny. And they wonder why we think Edmonton fans are the worst.
Johnny was just as targeted just as much as McBloody lol. I would say Flames shut him down more than tried to end his career like that vicious cross check ouch! Or Frolik getting flattened with a blindside hit. According to the game sheet Flames only had 9 hits to the Oilers 19. That goalie facewash on Hathaway as he was laying on the ice was a little excessive as well IMO. Should be an unsportsmanlike penalty for that one. The goalie and I think it was Kassian who tried to make a wishbone of Chucky. I’m just glad the Flames came to play hockey and not whatever it is Edmonton does :).
I don’t understand how Hathaway got a penalty in that altercation. He’s standing there not even harassing the goalie and gets crosschecked from behind lands on the goalie and the the goalie takes liberties as Hathaway gets a penalty as well; made no sense to me.
It’s easy to target the only guy on their team that is actually playing. None of their other guys could catch Johnny unless play was stopped.
Okay so I was just browsing stats since Xmas and found something interesting. Flames lead all teams with 225 giveaways 43 more than the next team Florida. Flames are tops with 160 takeaways SJ is second with 131. Monster numbers in both directions sounds like playing a lot of hot potato lol. Detroit has more than 100 more giveaways than takeaways since Xmas compared to Calgary’s 65 difference. We really need to tighten this up.
I feel it means the Flames have the puck an awful lot.
It means GG’s possession strategy is finally paying off. Yes, I’m kidding
I had written back in the summer some thoughts on how the Flames could be and needed to be more effective… via a Chaos Offence. Although the giveaways/takeaways ratio is negative and I agree with you on that, this style of interruptive, quick passing, chaotic “hot potato” play is extremely effective and a big reason why the Flames are doing so well this year. If you think back to last season the Flames had virtually nobody that would shoot a one-timer (e.g. Kylington goal), rather getting possession than trying to beat the goalie. This year the one-timer is starting to become a prime weapon in their arsenal and the results speak for themselves.
Sorry I meant playing hot potato with opponents more than team mates lol. It’s an insane amount of giveaways for a conference leader. At least it shows we fight to get it back which is a good thing. I am quite sure it comes from the simple fact that the Flames try to generate more offence than other teams. Last year Flames had a lot of guys who would “one-time”. In fact that is all we did last year which made us extremely easy to defend against. We traded two of those players away. Johnny has been setting up Mony’s one timer for years now. I’ve seen Backs and Fro score on one timers. In fact the guys(Johnny) who were passing looking for the one timer last year are shooting more instead now which messes with the opposing D and goalies who expect the pass.
These are all good points. Buffalo was really good at capitalizing on those freebies, and that’s why they were able to frustrate the Flames and come away with the two points. Chaos may play toward the flames advantage in most situations, but against really good teams in the playoffs, over 4-7 games when they can hone in on weaknesses, Flames will need to be able to adjust and tighten up when necessary. I think that’s the coaching focus from now till game 82.
Turnover leaders (teams & players) are generally the top performers. Can’t turn it over if you don’t have it. On its own, pretty meaningless stat. Perhaps ‘what % of possessions become turnovers’ could be more meaningful. Again, only if there is a meaningful league average.
NHL stats have Gio at -1 tonight, how is that possible? He had an assist on Johnny’s goal at 5v5, and was on the ice for 4v4 goal against, the other oiler goal was on pp.
Anyway, just another 1g 2a night for the captain. Enjoy the ASG break!
Got off the ice after he passed it to lindholm? Dunno, +/- stats are always a little weird.
Not a good night for Oilers fans. Oilers lose to their provincial rival and St. Louis, Ana and Min all win.
Flames 4rthline was really good , another decent game by Ryan and Neal ! Kylington is gonna be a solid player !
Looks like Adam fox is having a stellar year so far ! Time will tell if Flames won that trade , but so far , and to add to buddies post Hanifin is also on pace for a career season as he is closing in on his as well .
The only way that Carolina wins that trade is if Fox is better than Hanifin, I guess they could win the trade if they move Hamilton or Ferland for more parts.
There is no way they win that trade….ever. Lindholm has made sure of that.
Especially how much you get and higher ceiling , Lindholm should be getting Selke votes big time! , Hanifin is a way better defenceman than Hamilton , Ferlund could try the open market but he also kinda has Carolina in a position where he could squeeze abit more of a contract out of them ,if he walks that trade could look like a landslide, trade Frolik and replace him with Ferlund for the same 4.3 mill per . That would be funny .
THIS!!! ^^^^
According to the gamesheet Johnny never got an assist tonight. I will wait to see if there is an adjustment or not though.
Probably got a few for whining though
Speaking of whining, your sounding pretty nasally yourself.
God I’m pulling for the Flamers… If they make they playoffs this year, I hope they can win a game…It would make my unka ever so happy!
Want a tissue bro?
OneNut, you’ll feel better when you just accept the pain and let the tears flow. You won’t be so angry.
Worst…….Troll……Ever.
Seriously dude? If I met you in person you’d be walking my dog within minutes