Calgary Flames look to further secure their playoff position with win over Edmonton Oilers - NHL Preview
Calgary Flames will look to further reinforce their position in the playoff spots with a win over Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 at the ScotiaBank Saddledome in Calgary.
Facing a struggling Oilers side, Flames will look to increase the distance between them and their playoff spot rivals with a win at home ice.
Calgary’s recent form has propelled them from the bottom of the Western Conference into eighth with 65 points. They are tied on points with Los Angeles Kings and will look to increase the distance between themselves and the Kings on Tuesday.
The Flames have won five of their last eight games in February and will be looking forward to the visit of Edmonton as they start a four game home ice stretch.
The Oilers on the other hand have nothing but pride left to play for.
Down in 14th in the Western Conference with 50 points, Edmonton is clearly out of the race for the playoffs and with the recent run of results will be an easy opponent for the Flames.
Edmonton has lost five of its last eight games this month and are on a three game losing streak.
Flames (28-22-9, 65 pts)
Calgary’s ascension into the playoff spots comes on the back of some brilliant results. Struggling for most of the season the Flames have turned around their fortunes completely and moved up to eighth on Saturday with an important 1-0 win over the Los Angeles
Kings.
Left Winger Mike Cammalleri scored the only goal of the game early in the third period finally beating the Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick.
Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff kept his team’s lead intact and made 28 saves to send Calgary into the playoff spots.
His brilliant form has been the main reason Calgary finds itself so high in the table and forward Jarome Iginla praised the goaltender after the match.
"He's played as good as I've seen him play in his career -- and that's counting the Vezina year (in 2005-06). He's been outstanding all year, and he's enjoying it -- this climbing back up in the playoff race. So he's really into it. He doesn't mind that
each game is tight because he loves to compete."
Oilers (22-30-6, 50 pts)
The Oilers have been struggling throughout the season and with confidence running low will not be much of a threat to the well drilled Flames.
Edmonton is currently on a three game losing streak and will face the Flames on the back of a 5-2 pounding at the hands of Vancouver Canucks.
The Oilers were never in the game as Vancouver took them apart with ease, leaving left winger Ryan Smyth to ask his teammates to do more.
"You can't play catch-up hockey in today's game. You have to play with pride, play for your jersey and for your job."
Predictions
The Calgary Flames will win easily.
A big score line will most likely be on the cards as Calgary’s offence will take advantage of the Oilers problems.
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