In a battle to break losing streaks and climb out of the basement of the Pacific Division, the Calgary Flames (2-5-1) are set to face off against their Alberta rivals, the Edmonton Oilers (1-5-1). The Flames are looking to recover from a 3-0 defeat against the St. Louis Blues, while the Oilers are aiming to bounce back from a 3-0 loss to the New York Rangers. 

Flames Fizzling Out

The Calgary Flames, holding a 2-5-1 record and standing sixth in the Pacific Division, are in a precarious spot as they approach this game. A recent 3-0 defeat against the St. Louis Blues serves as an alarming indicator of the struggles on both ends of the ice. Jacob Markstrom, the Flames’ netminder, has been the most reliable player with a 2.68 GAA and a .906 SV%, but he’s just one piece of the puzzle. Andrew Mangiapane, the team’s top scorer, has recorded 3 goals and 3 assists for 6 points, showing some offensive capabilities but not nearly enough to single-handedly change the team’s fortune.

In terms of special teams, the Flames have a power play conversion rate of a mere 11.5% but boast a solid penalty kill rate of 90.3%. Although these stats might look decent in isolation, they are insufficient when facing a team like the Oilers, known for a potent power play unit. The Flames are currently on a four-game losing streak, a trend that casts a shadow over their ability to win on Sunday. Over these four games, the Flames have scored just six goals while conceding 15, signaling issues in both offensive production and defensive strength.

The Flames also have a worrisome injury list, with key players like Rasmus Andersson on the ‘out’ list and Adam Ruzicka listed as ‘day-to-day.’ In the last five games, the Flames have been outscored 15-6, indicating a significant gap in offensive production and defensive effectiveness. In a division as competitive as the Pacific, these are trends that can’t be ignored. If the Flames aim to turn things around, this game against the Oilers is as good a start as any, but recent form suggests otherwise.

Oilers in Oil Spill

The Edmonton Oilers, currently seventh in the Pacific Division with a 1-5-1 record, are in a slump that they need to break out of sooner rather than later. A recent 3-0 loss to the New York Rangers was another blow to a team desperately in search of a win. In the crease, neither Jack Campbell with his 4.35 GAA and .877 SV% nor Stuart Skinner with his 3.93 GAA and .846 SV% have provided the stability the Oilers need. Leon Draisaitl has been the team’s shining star, accumulating 11 points from 4 goals and 7 assists, but hockey is a team sport, and one man cannot carry the squad.

When it comes to special teams, the Oilers have a power play that’s clicking at 25.9%, but their penalty kill is languishing at 74.1%. In the last five games, the Oilers have not only lost four times but have also been outscored 17-9. This statistic highlights defensive frailties and the inability of an offense to keep pace with the opposition. Despite the power play’s effectiveness, the Oilers haven’t leveraged this advantage into wins, a trend that can’t continue if they hope to climb back into the division race.

The Oilers are also dealing with significant injuries. Star player Connor McDavid is listed as ‘day-to-day,’ and his potential absence could be a massive blow to an already struggling team. Over the last five games, the Oilers’ power play has clicked at a rate of 25.9%, but their penalty kill has been porous, neutralizing the advantage gained by their potent power play. Given these troubling trends and the lack of depth exacerbated by injuries, the Oilers face an uphill battle in the upcoming game against the Flames.

David’s Pick – Calgary Flames (+102)

The Flames and Oilers are both in rocky territory, but Calgary has a slight edge in goaltending and on the penalty kill. Jacob Markstrom is an experienced goalie capable of stealing a game. While both teams have offensive talents like Mangiapane for the Flames and Draisaitl for the Oilers, Calgary’s penalty kill prowess could be the X-factor in this matchup. With both teams desperately needing a win, expect a gritty, physica, penalty-filled game. Given the circumstances, I’m leaning towards the Flames to find their spark and come out on top in this Alberta showdown.