With the Oilers on a record-setting winning spree, Flames will be countering with a trio of rookies, including on making his NHL debut, while trying to return to the win column
Flames (21-19-5, 47 points) versus Edmonton Oilers (25-15-1, 51 points)
Matt Coronato back with the Flames, Adam Klapka making his NHL debut, Jacob Markstrom and Dennis Gilbert returning from injury, at least well enough for the morning skate: Plenty of changes for the Calgary Flames from the lineup that lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.
As the Flames look to return to the win column, they have an opportunity to snap the record-setting run of their biggest rivals.
“We don’t really care about their streak. It’s more about winning the game,” forward Jonathan Huberdeau. “Obviously if you win, you end that streak, it goes with it.
“It’s a big game for us. I think we’re close to doing something special, and … the energy is going to be great in the building, and we can take advantage of being at home. It’s going to be a fun game.”
Although Markstrom is close to being healthy after missing the last two games due to a lower-body injury, Dan Vladar is expected to start in goal and Dustin Wolf will serve as the backup. With forwards Martin Pospisil injured and Dillon Dube ill, Coronato was summoned from the minors and Klapka is set to step into the fourth line.
Gilbert has missed seven games with a suspected concussion suffered in the Jan. 4 game in Nashville, and slated to replace Nick DeSimone.
As if a Hockey Night in Canada clash with the Oilers does not already have enough juice.
“Any day, it’s a rivalry, but especially on a Saturday night,” Huberdeau said. “It’s a big matchup, we know they’re rolling and we’ve got to stop them. We’ve been playing well, a little hiccup last game, and it’s a big game for us.”
Edmonton has enjoyed an amazing turnaround since winning only two of the first 12 games of the season, by netting 23 victories in their last 29 outings.
With it, they’ve gone from 31st in the league to third in the Pacific Division.
The Oilers are on a franchise record 12-game winning streak, which is tied for the most by a Canadian club in NHL history. Edmonton is also on a franchise record-tying eight-game road winning spree.
Here’s a look at Calgary’s expected lineup:
Forwards:
Jonathan Huberdeau-Elias Lindholm-Yegor Sharangovich
Andrew Mangiapane-Mikael Backlund-Blake Coleman
Connor Zary-Nazem Kadri-Matt Coronato
A.J. Greer-Adam Ruzicka -Adam Klapka
Defence:
Rasmus Andersson-MacKenzie Weegar
Noah Hanifin-Chris Tanev
Jordan Oesterle-Dennis Gilbert
Extra: Nick DeSimone
Goal:
Dan Vladar
Dustin Wolf
Vladar’s lone game against Edmonton was a 4-3 win in their first meeting of the 2022-23 season. Wolf has never faced the Oilers.
Here is the potential roster for the Oilers:
Forwards:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins-Connor McDavid-Zach Hyman
Evander Kane-Leon Draisaitl-Warren Foegele
Mattias Janmark-Ryan McLeod-Derek Ryan
Sam Gagner-Dylan Holloway-Connor Brown
Defence:
Darnell Nurse-Cody Ceci
Mattias Ekholm-Evan Bouchard
Brett Kulak-Vincent Desharnais
Goal:
Stuart Skinner
Calvin Pickard
Skinner boasts an 3-0-0 record, 1.31 GAA and .966 SvPct. against Calgary. Pickard has a 0-4-0 mark with a 3.86 GAA and .879 SvPct. versus the Flames.
ICE CHIPS: The teams will wear their uniforms we saw in the first Battle of Alberta matchup of the season, the Heritage Classic outdoor game … Oilers C Connor McDavid is on his second 12-game point streak in a 25-game game stretch. In this run, he’s amassed five goals and 18 points C Leon Draisaitl has collected three goals and seven points in a three-game run … Calgary C Nazem Kadri’s point run is up to eight games, with six goals and 11 points … Indicative of his team’s improved defensive play, Oilers G Stuart Skinner has has won 19 of 23 starts — including nine straight — and posted a 1.88 goals-against average and .930 save percentage … That said, the offensive attack has allowed Edmonton to overcome allowing the first goal in five consecutive games and eight comeback wins in this run ... Coach Ryan Huska said there is no timeline for a return from injury for F Martin Pospisil, but "he wont' be in the lineup for the next few games, for sure."