Pre-game: Flames- Oct 1

Oilers vs Flames

Since it's the preseason, we will post the lines instead of scratches:



       LW                                      C                                   RW
 Taylor Hall                          Shawn Horcoff                  Jordan Eberle


 Magnus Paajarvi                    Sam Gagner                     Ales Hemsky


 Liam Reddox                       Ryan O'Marra                     Ryan Jones


  Steve MacIntyre               Chris Vande Velde                Zack Stortini



                            D                                           D
                     Ryan Whitney                          Tom Gilbert


                     Ladislav Smid                           Kurtis Foster
 

                   James Vandermeer                    Theo Peckham
         


                                                   G
                                         Nikolai Khabibulin
                                          Devan Dubnyk

Matchup(s) of the Night:

1.) Taylor Hall VS Robin Regehr
    Everytime the Flames play the Oilers, they match Reggie against the Oilers' top line. Just ask Hemsky how many times Regehr has hit him over the past couple of years. The Oilers are going to have to avoid putting their skilled players out when Regehr is on the ice. The Oilers will need to bring a physical element vs the Flames tonight. This could be a chance for Peckham/Vandermeer to show that they will stand up for their teammates.


2.) Oil top 6 vs Karlsson

    The Flames tender is trying to prove that he's worthy to back up Kiprusoff. This will most likely be the Oilers top 6 during the season, so its going to be a large test for Karlsson as MPS is coming in hot with 3 goals in only 2 preseason games. Hall/Horcoff/Eberle are also developing great chemistry through out training camp so Karlsson will have to be on his toes.

3). MacIntyre VS Ivanans

    It will be a physical game for sure. It'll be interesting to see what happens with the two heavies, as neither of them have dropped the gloves yet this pre-season. Things usually heat up when it's the battle of Alberta so get your popcorn ready. Also Jackman and Stortini both play a similar style, and are both in the line up.............watch out!



Keys to the Game:
    
    Its going to be important for the Oilers to generate early scoring opportunities. Karlsson is young, inexperienced, and will be easily rattled if they pot a couple  early ones. That being said the 3rd and 4th lines should keep it simple and throw the puck on net. Hemsky's line should continue to cycle the puck, as they wear the defenders down.

  If the rugged Flames start to run around, it's key for the Oilers to stand up for each other with out the need for dumb penalties. Composure is going to be a necessity. The Oilers top 9 is pretty much written in stone, and the bottom 3 are fighting for positions. We all know todays bottom 6 will be playing physical and trying to make an impact on the game, but they will have to stay out of the box if they want to win this game.P

Player Analysis:    Tonight is another big night for Theo Peckham. He will need to display composure in his own end. He can't afford to turn the puck over as it will put a damper on his chances to crack the starting line up. Peckham should refrain from attempting the finesse play, its not his game. If a player on the Flames is taking liberties, Peckham will have to take exception and step in.

    This is a good warm up game for the Bulin Wall, this is  pretty close to the final roster for the Flames. He will be tested by a pure goal scorer in Iggy. This will give us a good idea to see if Khabby is ready for the regular season. The last team he faced was closer to an AHL lineup then an NHL roster. Expect a big game for Khabby, he wants to prove that he can continue to perform as a #1 NHL goaltender. 

    MPS has to shoot the puck more. Last game he was given good scoring chances but he elected to pass. MPS has a great shot and shouldn't feel pressured into passing. With his skating and shooting abilities mixed with the play making of Hemsky and Gagner, MPS will start racking up the points.

    Eberle and Horcoff are beginning to prove that they have some good chemistry with one another. Horcoff is a great leader and teacher for these kids and Renney will play this line often. They will be looking to build that chemistry with Hall and continue to roll into the regular season feeling comfortable with each other.