The Cult of Hockey's "Reality check as Oilers lose to Flames" podcast

Cult of Hockey podcast

The Calgary Flames were desperate for a win, the Edmonton Oilers were not. They were also on their third game in four nights, as well as experiencing an emotional memorial service for departed teammate Colby Cave earlier in the day. After the game, Connor McDavid said: “You’re asking a lot from guys, to sit through something like that, remember your teammate (Colby Cave), see what the whole family is going through and be expected to perform that night. I’m not sure what the league was really thinking there.” But Edmonton’s 5-0 loss to the Flames was also a reality check for the Oilers, a game where their weak results in two-way play in recent weeks finally caught up to them. Goalie Mike Smith couldn’t save them this time. The Oilers are in the doldrums when it comes to even strength play. In its first 30 games, Edmonton averaged 12.8 Grade A chances per game, while giving up just 10.2 per game. But in the last 11 games, the Oilers have averaged 8.3 Grade A chances per game while giving up 11.1. This is not a good trend and it continued on Saturday night in Calgary. In the first two periods, as Calgary built up a four goal lead, they had seven Grade A chances to just two for the Oilers (running count). In the end, Edmonton, the Oilers could muster just three Grade A chances while the Flames had nine. Bruce McCurdy and David Staples of the Cult of Hockey dig in. By the Faithful and for the Faithful.