The Oilers and Flames first met in the playoffs during April of 1983, with Edmonton winning the Smythe Division Finals four games to one. Mark Messier led the series with 8 goals, Wayne Gretzky had 14 points, and Paul Reinhart scored six for the Flames. Andy Moog played all but 11:24 (Grant Fuhr) as the Oilers were on a collision course with the first Stanley Cup Final in team history.
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THE ATHLETIC!
I’m proud to be writing for The Athletic, and pleased to be part of a great team with Daniel Nugent-Bowman and Jonathan Willis. Here is our recent work.
- New Lowetide: Oilers’ midseason depth chart informs their needs for trade deadline and beyond
- Jonathan Willis: A position-by-position look at the Oilers after 30 games
- Lowetide: How will Oilers GM Ken Holland make room in the lineup for Evan Bouchard?
- Lowetide: Are the Oilers and Elvis Merzlikins a trade match?
- Lowetide: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Dominik Kahun, Dylan Holloway and a perfect storm on the Oilers’ left side
- Lowetide: Why Oilers GM Ken Holland shouldn’t wait for the deadline to make a trade
- Lowetide: Three Oilers prospects form hottest line in the AHL
- Lowetide: Oilers’ top 20 prospects, trade deadline edition
- Lowetide: Why are some Oilers fans hesitant to give Darnell Nurse his due?
- Jonathan Willis: Can Oilers improve enough to beat TML it in May?
- Lowetide: Top trade targets for the Oilers at the 2021 deadline
- Jonathan Willis: Oilers 2021 trade value rankings
- Lowetide: February report cards for the Oilers
- Jonathan Willis: The Oilers’ 2020 trade deadline splash: What we learned, a year later
- Lowetide: Revisiting our preseason predictions for the Oilers after 20 games
- Lowetide: Is this peak Connor McDavid?
OILERS AFTER 32 GAMES
- Oilers in 2015-16: 14-16-2, 30 points; goal differential -9
- Oilers in 2016-17: 15-12-5, 35 points; goal differential +4
- Oilers in 2017-18: 13-17-2, 28 points; goal differential -10
- Oilers in 2018-19: 17-12-3, 37 points; goal differential +1
- Oilers in 2019-20: 18-10-4, 40 points; goal differential +5
- Oilers in 2020-21: 18-13-0, 36 points; goal differential +11
Don’t panic! I kid. This Oilers team has put in a lot of hard work to get into a good spot for the second half and the stretch run. Part of that includes a little better than a .500 record in March. Currently the team has delivered .500 top dead center.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN MARCH
- At home to: Toronto, Toronto, Calgary (Expected: 1-1-1) (Actual 1-2-0)
- At home to: Ottawa, Ottawa, Ottawa (Expected: 2-1-0) (Actual 3-0-0)
- On the road to: Vancouver, Calgary, Calgary (Expected: 2-1-0) (Actual 0-2-0)
- At home to Winnipeg, Winnipeg (Expected: 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: Montreal, Montreal, Montreal (Expected 2-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- On the road to: Toronto, Toronto (Expected 1-1-0) (Actual 0-0-0)
- Overall expected result: 9-6-1, 19 points in 16 games
- Current results: 4-4-0, 8 points in eight games
Oilers lead the Flames by five points but Calgary has two games in hand, plus Edmonton’s schedule is Edgar Allan Poe madness through the end of the month. This isn’t a must win, but there is some worry.
OILERS VERSUS FLAMES, PLAYOFF EDITION
The 1983 series was the first, but not the last or the most memorable.
Oilers won the 1984 Division Final but it took seven games. Gretzky, Messier, Jari Kurri, Glenn Anderson and Paul Coffey (plus Pat Hughes) scored at a point-per-game or better to lead the offense, while Grant Fuhr playing all but 56 minutes (Andy Moog). This team won the first Stanley for the Oilers.
The Flames won the Smythe Division Final in 1986, on the famous own goal in Game 7. Perry Berezan was credited with the winning goal at 5:24 of the third period, meaning Edmonton had 14:36 to tie the game. No one ever talks about that fact.
The two teams met again in 1988, Edmonton rolling over Calgary 4-0 with Jari Kurri leading the way offensively and Grant Fuhr playing every minute of the series in goal. In 1991, Edmonton won the Division Semi-Final in seven games on an overtime goal by Esa Tikkanen. SN keeps playing the Fleury goal from that series, but Tikkanen’s goal was the killer.
OILERS 2020-21
This is five on five points-60 (forwards), five on five expected goals (defense), five on five save percentage (goalies).
Tippett may have Kassian back tonight, and might be tempted to run the big man on the top line. I’d stay the course with the two youngsters (Yamamoto, Puljujarvi) on the skill lines, Kassian could shore up one of the depth lines.
Another thing to look for tonight: Evan Bouchard possibly drawing in for the injured Tyson Barrie, and someone (Shore?) sliding in to the No. 3 center spot to replace Jujhar Khaira if he is unready.
LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE
At 10 this morning, TSN 1260, we have a busy show as we tee-up the BOA game tonight. Bruce McCurdy from The Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal will talk about the importance of tonight’s tilt and we’ll spend some time discussing Edmonton’s young blue and how their seasons are progressing. Joe Osborne from OddsShark will talk March Madness, NBA and the bounce teams get when firing coaches (will it apply to the Sabres)? 10-1260 text, @Lowetide on twitter. Talk soon!
97 is locked in and loaded
lol. Whassahappenin?
ONE HUNDRED
HUNTER1909’s Death March™
Update: from Hunter1909’s Death March Regular Season 2021™(since 2014)
With Oilers now on pace for a 68 point finish, here are the current leaders in the Death March game which might pay out to all winners at the end of the season.
dcsj_57; Slocanoil; SOS; JAMCON; HotEire; Enigma
Will replace previous leaders:
JRizzer25; Hazwasted; KGB; Oilnc79; Unjustenrichment; Whale
Nurse in the top 10 in NHL defencemen points. He also reads Lowetide where he was being critiqued recently.
Barrie, unheralded and rarely mentioned other than in “He’s not worth the money” is currently LEADING the NHL in defenceman points.
Nurse is also tied for the NHL lead among d-men in 5 on 5 points.
Am becoming suspicious that RNH reads Lowetide, because with the recent discussion of his merits he’s come out tonight like he has something to prove.
RNH looks like he can read. He can probably finish a book.
You’re putting me on. He’s a hockey player. They can’t even spell “read”.
You didn’t go to CP tonight and report back on the lamentations of their women, so I decided to go over and have a little peek, and I have to say… it was like licking the icing off a cake.
While I did enjoy the company of their women, I would never report on the details.
I’m a gentleman after all
If he can in fact “read” this book you speak of,
Then he is is a King,
King amongst men
Only if it’s less than 50 pages.
When I was a young lad, Randy Greg assured me all hockey players literate.
I wanted Oilers to go 3-3 during their next 6 game stretch including tonight.
With 1 in the bank I revise it to still wanting 3 more wins out of the next 5 games.
: p
Ahh Greed, my 2nd favorite of the all the 7 deadly’s
Right after lust
Edmonton whipping Calgary twice this season. Then I checked the standings and where had believed Flames were in 4th they are actually in 6th LOL
HUNTER1909’s Death March™ Hunter1909 Death March™
Update: from Hunter1909’s Death March Regular Season 2021(since 2014)
With Oilers now on pace for a 67 point finish, here are the current leaders in the Death March game which might pay out to all winners at the end of the season.
JRizzer25; Hazwasted; KGB; Oilnc79; Unjustenrichment; Whale
Will replace previous leaders:
cheltimebaby; stephensheps; ArmchairGM; Victoria_oil; Ants of the sky; Marconiuse; JP
also:
Boil-in-the-Oil; Cowboy; Z Mac; Crazy Pedestrian
geowal
March 17, 2021 10:23 pm
“My beer is tasting extra good right now.”
******
Oilers & Geowal with the win tonight
cool to watch these fucks get destroyed.
Even the Flames fans hate the dweeb Hrudey just replace him with another one of the expert know it all woman they’ve been grooming and get it over with please.
As much as I dislike Listening to Kelly…..
Hrudey>>>Remenda
Kia Nurse>>> Cassie>>>Hrudey >>>Garrett>>>Remenda. They should convert Kia to hockey at least she knows what she’s talking about and she seems to have a sense of humour plus we need one Oiler homer in our corner since the Flames seem to have the market covered.
I make a habit of watching Tippett’s post-game appearances.
One funny thing that just clicked for me is that when Tipp says, in a sombre tone, “solid” about a player, or about the game, or a specific play, he actually means “excellent” and is bursting with happiness.
McDavid at 17 minutes and Draisaitl at 19 minutes. Good stuff Tippett!!!
Yup, and 4.5 of those minutes (each) were on the PP.
Under 22 for Nurse as well.
Brown thinks Gaudreau has been disengaged including the prior game.
#traderumours
Like me, Brown also thinks Winnipeg is one top four damn away from division winners and true cup contenders. If they nab Ekholm. Lookout…
That one is more… “like everyone else on the planet thinks all the time, the Jets need a Dman…”
OTOH, Brown’s comment comes on a night after a recent coaching change, when we’re were treated to a broadcast coloured by the insider of all flam insiders and no word on Gaudreau’s lack of involve.
Wonderful bounce back win.
Jesus, apparently some think otherwise.
The 2 children are mad at me for calling them out on their garbage posts over the past few days.
If you were talking like that well I’m not surprised lol. But this is exactly why I don’t like the neg button.
For the love of Gord people vote the post and the person.
I stopped caring about the vote button as soon as I found out that I couldn’t “like” my own comments.
Haha!
The ultimate irony really…
😉
Right now I want to neg mine for failing to put “not” in front of “the person”.
If only there was some sort of Edit button
There is. But then some asshole replied and removed it.
I think he drank my last beer too.
That dirty Bastard!!
LOVE the -!
It usually means you’ve said something that is a combination of correct and thought provoking to varying degrees.
Being out on the edge that makes people uncomfortable is the only way to get anywhere. The mushy middle is comfortable, easy, boring and ultimately leads to a whole lot of nothing.
This so you, lol. I give you full credit, you’ve been incredibly consistent and true to yourself through the years.
Plussed and a *hat tip*
Four points for Barrie. Tippett was probably an idiot for that last minute insertion.
And nine EV goals for Doc, all at even strength. That’s a great full season. We’re 32 games in.
Fantastic game by Barrie…too bad about his ego.
HH?
Ask Godot. He can explain it all for you.
You should meet his Dad.
Highest scoring team in the NHL and tied for second in wins, your 2020-2021 Edmonton Oilers.
Tough to credit the goalie too much in a 7-3 win but Smith’s save on his first shot of the game was massive and his play in the 2nd period when it was 2-0 and the flames were coming hard was key.
He’s been the better goalie if the two on aggregate this season and I do think his puckhandling helps the team and changes the way BOTH teams play.
I credit Dave Tippett for his call tonight.
Mikko, your up tomorrow – gotta match!
——————-
Some were disappointed that Barrie was able to play. I was disappointed not to see Bouchard but its tough to argue that this team isn’t materially better with Barrie in the lineup, in my opinion – he changes the team offensively.
That 5 man attack allowed by Nurse-Barrie opens up so much ice.
Look at how much open ice Nurse had his goal. Very difficult to defend that.
Barrie was excellent. He showed off some tremendous edges and patience in turning over that puck and waiting for Draisaitl to show up, who proceeded to set up Kahun.
His shot is an absolute bullet and very accurate; he put it in the perfect spot for Puljujarvi to deflect.
There were a couple shots tonight were I think you could’ve put up a one inch square target where he was aiming it and he was hitting that target. He’s absolutely pinpoint when he’s on.
It’s his last big payday contract year and he’s
crushing it.
#JustLikeZack
Didn’t mind Kassian’s game tonight. Maybe not quite as physical as you’d like but I thought he was poised down on the 4th (third?) line.
This might have been Barrie’s best defensive game as an Oiler. I saw a few quality plays tonight under a hard forecheck. Maybe injured Barrie means less riverboat? dunno but more please.
Watching Pujo’s growth this year has been delightful. the little things, the stuff he sees… I’m telling you right now he will be a more valuable player over the course of their careers than Laine.
I said during the game Smith was groovin… Ya, mon. Take a ride on a purple airplane, mojo rising, my sweet lord, baby. So confident. So calm.
Yeah Barrie is coming on. Confidence in his O-game bleeding into his D-game.
Watching JP develop is one of the top 5 joyful things about following this team since I’ve been watching them in ’97. What a story!
Smith is one intense dude. Suck it Flickers!
Satisfying win! Would have preferred a sweep but split OK. Big game tomorrow !
Barrie is an interesting player. I don’t think he’s horrible defensively. He’s good behind the net, wins his fair share of defensive battles, doesn’t get beat one on one, makes nice passes to get out of the dzone and brings all that offence. His fatal flaw is brain cramps.
He we will do something absolutely stupid – a mind blowing often unforced error – and the puck is in our net. Hard player to evaluate.
Does he lead the NHL in D scoring after tonight?
Been a good while since that’s been a thing for an Oiler.
Yup – 1 more point the Hedman (although Barrie has played 4 more games).
We seem to give JG 1 free goal every game….wtf?
A little more crispness to their play and Ennis gets a good chance off a Kassian feed
Haas continues to improve.
I approve.
Pay attention , laddies.
I did like Hrudey’s comment about the Oilers even taking a 7-2 goal hard. that’s the shit winners are made of.
Whoa, rocket by Gaudreau.
Rare lapse by Larsson there. Odd to wander behind the net like that. Ah well.
Hope Chiassor is Ok.
Tough play for Lags there – not like him. Mistakes are much better when up 6.
this team is making me start to believe.
That’ll help the ole goal differential.
JP’s “disappointing” p/60 as well
And Nuge 5v5 goals…
My beer is tasting extra good right now
Returned Kass, same as the prior Kass….
I take Kass every time and three times on Sunday….over Turris and Nygard. (Probly over Neal too because speed).
Expect some cheap shots before this one over
Shots started before game time. CR peach…
Support staff scurrying to the Calgary dressing room to charge up the cattle prods for tomorrow’s bag skate. Lessons of the past to prepare you for tomorrow…yee haw
And to remove any sharp objects
Sutter brought the “steers” on Monday.
And the pussies on Wednesday.
I sense a bag skate in the Flames near future.
Daryl did bag-skate them in his first practice…
Not long enough!
Dead cat bounce is dead.
Sutter prepare for GM
Nothing like rewarding failure…
$hit don’t bounce. goes splat
Schadenfreude approaching level ten.
Kassian…woohoo
Sutter hockey!
This is like an Oprah Show for goal scoring. Are the Flames scheduled to play this evening?
Kassian with perfect timing rubs it in.
Awesome goal by Zack with one hand
Yikes,. Hasselhaff stikes with kass
I ask for lots of Haas and rewards come….
When’s Barrie getting signed for 5 years and Bouchard or Bear traded
Zack attack baby
Oil doing all right without JJ. Life is good.