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Battle of Alberta has potential to be a high-scoring affair

The NHL’s first playoff Battle of Alberta in 31 years will likely be a recreation of preserve away.

The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers will attempt to preserve the puck off the sticks of one another’s prime scorers by conserving it on the sticks of their very own stars.

Two potent offences conflict within the best-of-seven Western Convention semifinal beginning Wednesday in Calgary.

Led by NHL factors chief Connor McDavid and prolific teammate Leon Draisaitl for the Oilers, and Calgary’s prime line of 40-goal males Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk, this second-round sequence has the potential to be a high-scoring affair.

“Hopefully extra on our facet,” Flames defenceman Michael Stone stated. “That is the plan.”

Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom, who’s a Vézina Trophy nominee, and veteran Oilers counterpart Mike Smith, who simply three years in the past tended Calgary’s web within the playoffs, will likely be distinguished in figuring out objective quantity.

Calgary (50-21-11) topped the Pacific Division forward of runner-up Edmonton (49-27-6) within the common season.

Their season sequence went 2-2, together with Calgary’s 9-5 win March 26 on the Saddledome.

The Flames and Oilers are the 2 Canadian golf equipment nonetheless in rivalry for a Stanley Cup, and one among them will likely be eradicated.

Alberta’s NHL groups conflict within the post-season for the primary time since 1991. The novelty is not misplaced on the province or the gamers.

“I believe folks of Alberta have been ready a very long time for this, since 1991,” Flames ahead Milan Lucic stated. “One thing to look ahead to as a participant and an athlete. One thing you have to have enjoyable with.”

Each golf equipment are coming off first-round sequence that went to a Sport 7 at dwelling.

Gaudreau scored the additional time winner in a Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars, whereas McDavid scored and assisted on the opposite objective in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

The Flames’ shot differential in a low-scoring sequence in opposition to Dallas was plus-92.

Calgary’s problem within the second spherical is to convey the identical shot mentality that wore down, barely, the Stars and workhorse goaltender Jake Oettinger whereas stopping the Oilers from doing the identical to them.

“They’ve some world-class gamers, play with a variety of velocity and so they’re good off the frenzy, so we have to bear in mind when persons are on the ice and be able to reload and keep above (the puck),” Lindholm stated.

With McDavid and Draisaitl boasting a league-leading 44 and 41 power-play factors respectively within the common season, the Flames cannot afford to get baited into low cost penalties.

“The important thing for us is to remain five-on-five and keep out of the field,” Lindholm stated. “They’ve some good chemistry and have a very good energy play. Stuff like that’s going to be vital.”

The Swedish winger was introduced Tuesday as a finalist for the Selke Trophy that goes to the NHL’s prime defensive ahead.

“When the puck is in our defensive zone, he is all the time in the correct place,” Markstrom stated of Lindholm. “He carries the puck up the ice and lets these guys, Johnny and Chucky down low, they’re so good at creating house and beating guys one on one. 

“Then he is within the slot and completed a variety of targets that method. It is simply every thing he does, all around the ice, it is nice to see.”

Calgary successful its first playoff sequence since 2015 — and simply its second within the final 17 years — was a psychological post-season hurdle cleared, Flames head coach Darryl Sutter stated.

“It is not an actual good analogy that folks use, however they did not need to bear the cross of the previous, in order that was the step,” Sutter stated.

“Since you’re within the subsequent spherical, it is the following tier up. Ought to resonate how laborious it’s to make the playoffs, how laborious it’s to win a spherical.”

Flames defenceman Chris Tanev skated Tuesday after sitting out Sunday’s sequence finale with an undisclosed harm. Calgary’s prime shutdown blue-liner appeared uncomfortable at instances on Tuesday’s rushes.

“Do not ask about accidents or who’s enjoying anymore,” Sutter stated. “Why ought to a coach rise up and speak about any person who’s injured? That is like saying ‘this is one other cookie.'”

Sutter’s 93 profession playoff wins is one again of Pat Quinn for sixth all-time.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Might 17, 2022.

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