Preseason Gameday Update – October 1st

For the first time this preseason, the Calgary Flames take on the Edmonton Oilers with both teams still unbeaten in exhibition action (7 pm, Rogers Sportsnet Flames and The FAN 960).  It’s a game that could be looked at as a dress rehearsal for both teams, with close-to opening day rosters being iced on both sides.

Here are lines and pairings for the Flames:

Alex Tanguay-Mikael Backlund-Jarome Iginla
Niklas Hagman-David Moss-Ales Kotalik
Curtis Glencross-Stefan Meyer-Tim Jackman
Raitis Ivanans-Brett Sutter-Jon Rheault

Ian White-Robyn Regehr
Jay Bouwmeester-Steve Staios
T.J. Brodie-Adam Pardy

Both Rene Bourque and Olli Jokinen will miss the game tonight for the Flames as they continue to miss time due to maintenance issues.  We know Jokinen’s issue remains that pulled muscle he suffered Tuesday night against Phoenix.  I’m not overly worried about either, knowing that it is the preseason and every precaution is going to be taken.  Miikka Kiprusoff and Henrik Karlsson will split duty in net for the Flames tonight.

On the Oilers side, here’s what you’re looking at:

Taylor Hall-Shaun Horcoff-Jordan Eberle
Magnus Paajarvi-Sam Gagner-Ales Hemsky
Ryan Jones-Ryan O’Marra-Liam Reddox
Steve MacIntyre-Chris Vande Velde-Zach Stortini

Ryan Whitney-Tom Gilbert
Ladislav Smid-Kurtis Foster
Theo Peckham-Jim Vandermeer

From what we’ve heard, Nikolai Khabibulin should get the start in net for the Oilers and go the whole way.  With both Stortini and MacIntyre playing, I’m hoping we get at least one scrap with Ivanans invovled.

Looking forward to seeing Calgary product Taylor Hall play his first game against the Flames, and seeing all three of the "super rookies" in action will be exciting.  The fact that both teams will closely resemble opening day lineups should give us at least some sort of indication as to where the teams are.  Obviously it still is the preseason, but I’m looking forward to this one.

NOTE: As per TSN’s Bob MacKenzie, Flames defenceman Staffan Kronwall did clear waivers today.  I’d expect to see an announcement from the Flames soon that he’s been assigned to Abbotsford.