Who’d have thought? After how Edmonton’s season looked in October and November, did they make that much of a comeback in the standings and clinch a Playoff spot in April? Even with the occasional brutal nights like on Wednesday, this team has still come a long way from their 2-9-1 start. Allow me to give you a brief history lesson.
In the 2021/2022 season, the Oilers had a coaching change in the month of February out of fear that they were playing their way out of a Playoff spot. They also signed Evander Kane to a contract after he had the one before that terminated. He would end that season with 39 points in 43 games, including a hat-trick in the game the Oilers clinched their Playoff spot against. Guess which team it was. It’s only fitting that Kane finally snapped a 21 game goalless drought in a postseason clinching game against the same team as two years ago. Kane has been a streaky scorer all year long, and this was the best time for him to have a resurging game just two weeks until Round 1 starts. Here’s hoping he keeps it up and doesn’t lose it again because he’s an important player to have in tight games.
I do hope Mikko Rantanen is okay and will be no worse for wear after getting checked by Mattias Ekholm. My take, the same take as the Oilers broadcast, I don’t like when teams feel the need to go after their opponents after a clean hit. I understand there’s a code between teammates, but I’d sympathize more with that code if some hits were dirtier. I’d probably react the same as Jack Johnson if an Oilers player was on the receiving end of the hit, but we also can’t forget that hockey is a contact sport. You have to expect a body check sometimes.
If it were up to me(it’s clearly not), I’d rather see a couple of star players, if not all, sit out at least 3 or 4 of their last 7 regular season games. Prove that this season really is Cup Or Bust, and make a statement that you’re looking to add to your individual stats. The Oilers will play to secure home-ice advantage now, but no need to stress too much. The keys to the game are…
Tradition: The Battle Of Alberta is still the Battle Of Alberta, even when I mocked the stance of both teams before their first meeting. The Flames will still want to show up their rivals and the Oilers will still want to show up their rivals regardless of the positional differences in the standings.
Sad Goalie: There are rumors of Jacob Markstrom possibly moving on from Calgary. I heard he could’ve been traded to New Jersey, but the deal never went through. Markstrom wasn’t happy about the debacle surrounding it, and since the Trade Deadline, he hasn’t had a start with a save percentage above .900. The last such game for him was March 2nd.
Fan Energy: On January 20th, the last BOA at the Scotiabank Saddledome, Oilers fans overpowered Flames fans in attendance; you think they were playing at Rogers Place that night. In the last meeting on February 24th, Calgary got their revenge in our team’s building. If you’re going to this game tonight, bring back that energy from January.
ITR 34: End Of The Road – Inside The Rink
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