Quips and Quotes: Flames lose to Oilers 3-1

The Calgary Flames lost to the Edmonton Oilers by a 3-1 score on Saturday night. Here are selected reactions from players and coaches following the game.

The weird part of the calendar is done with: the awkward period between the Flames clinching a specific playoff spot and actually starting the playoffs. Everyone was understandably disappointed at losing the game, but seemed very happy to have the playoffs rapidly approaching.

The seeming goal for the Flames this evening was getting Johnny Gaudreau his 100th point. They got him to 99, which Gaudreau seemed fairly satisfied with.

“Well, no big deal,” shrugged Gaudreau. “Obviously a good season, not only for me but for every single player in here. It’s been a lot of fun being a part of this team and the fun’s just about to start here. We’re looking forward to playoffs here, and getting things going.”

Gaudreau’s 99 point season is still tied for the ninth-best offensive season in franchise history.

There was a lot of discussion of the tripping call on Mark Giordano that resulted in an injury to Connor McDavid. I broke down much of it for OilersNation.

Long story short: Giordano was remorseful, Oilers coach Ken Hitchcock was steamed, while there was a general acknowledgment that McDavid playing so fast makes it challenging for defenders because you have to decide how to play him really quickly. There was no break in the X-rays, but he’ll have an MRI on Sunday.

It’s unlikely that Giordano will see supplemental discipline for this, but bear in mind that Player Safety reviews everything, there was an injury, and Giordano was suspended earlier this year for a hockey play that resulted in an injury to Mikko Koivu. Stranger things have happened.

On the final day of the regular season, the Flames finally had their playoff match-up finalized. They’ll play the Colorado Avalanche, likely beginning on Thursday night at the Saddledome.