Pre-Game: Flames Oct 16

                                       VS: Calgary Flames



   Matchup(s) of the Night:

1.) Smid VS Iginla: Ladislav Smid is emerging into the teams #1 shutdown defender. He's been solid throughout every game this year and he barely makes any mistakes in his own end. In our minds he will have the Oilers best +/- this season. On the other side you have Jarome Iginla who looks like he is on the decline. He comes into tonight's game with 0 points in the Flames 3 games. Jarome will look for some redemption tonight, and in fashion at home against what the Flames call the Coilers. Iginla is aging and his numbers are taking a hit, while Smid is starting to come into his own. Expect a lot of Smid tonight because the Flames who are struggling to score goals will put their most dynamic player on the ice quite a bit. Like last time these guys matched up Smid doesn't have to take the body on him, he just has to play good positionally and stay tight on him when they're are coming into our zone. But the main reason why you don't want to run Iginla is because you don't want to wake the beast.


 2.) Hall VS Kiprusoff: People are questioning Hall's ability 3 games into the year and are wondering if we send him back to junior. He is just star struck and does what a player who just graduated from high school would do. But today will be Hall's coming out party in front of his home town. He will score 2 goals tonight and be a dominating force. Kiprusoff has had a rough start to the season. And with both Sutter's jobs on the line he will probably play around 70 games this year. His defense is slow and his offense does not put up enough goals on the board for him to get W's. The pressure is on him tonight, especially with Hall coming full boar and wanting to showcase his first overall dynamics to his home town. Taylor Hall will silence the critics tonight when he lights the lamp on the helpless Kipper.

Keys to the Game:   The Oilers are coming off another ugly game. Thank god for Khabibulin or it could have have been a blow out. The Flames are coming in with a 1-2 record and they are not looking like a play off team. They were embarrassed the last time these 2 teams met and they will be looking for revenge. It is key that the Oilers do not let an early goal rattle them because Calgary will becoming out Fast and Furious.........Tokyo Drift style. It will be interesting to see how the rookies react to their first loss. They need to be aggressive as they have looked passive the last 2 games, especially considering that Ivanans isn't in the line up for the Flames. Edmonton needs to use their speed with the defensive lineup Calgary is using. Hall should have his way with them. Also, it's key that the Oilers utilize the Calgary turnovers and create some odd man rushes.

Player Analysis:Taylor Hall: All we're going to say is if you have him on your fantasy team, make sure you start him tonight.

Magnus Paajarvi: M.P.S is looking better each game he plays. He draws a ton of penalties with his speed and needs to continue to drive to the net. It would be of great benefit to pair him with a playmaker, but since he plays with a grinder (Cogliano) and a shooter (Brule), he's going to be a "puck hog." 

Jordan Eberle: He has been the most consistent of the rookies thus far. What impresses us most about this kid is his defensive intelligence. He is most effective at the sides of the nets and that is when he creates the most for his teammates. He will earn more power play time as the season progresses and his numbers will continue to grow.

Steve Macintyre: Can he repeat his last performance? Ivanans is day to day with fear of MacIntyre syndrome. It will be fun to watch MacIntyre take liberties on the Flames as they are obviously lacking toughness. But he has to be in control of himself because the refs will be looking to throw him in the sin bin. He has to keep his game simple with soft dumps on the fore check, and he has to use the glass in the defensive end. 

James Vandermeer: He might actually be slower than Strudwick. Vandermeer and Peckham have been exposed with their lack of foot speed. So look for him to play against the Calgary bottom 6 where he will be most effective. He has to keep it simple, play a hard nose style and win those battles in the corner. No one doubts his toughness, and something in our stomachs will tell us he is going to show his mean streak against the Flames tonight.

Tom Gilbert: Tom Gilbert has a jackal and Hide aspect to him. He goes from your MVP to your most vulnerable player. Maybe Oilers management should consider pairing him with Whitney. At the end of last year he looked on top of his game and his numbers were incredible.