Thursday October 9, 2014

Rexall Place in Edmonton

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Thursday night, the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers will take the ice for Calgary’s second game and the first action of the new season for Edmonton. 

The Calgary Flames were so far at the bottom last season that the only place for them to go this season is up. It’s never easy for fans to suffer through a season like the Flames had last year.  But behind the 35 -40-7 season last year, the promise of future success is supposed to be just on the horizon.   There were some bright spots to last season though.  Rookie Sean Monahan put up a 22 goal season and should improve on that number this season.  The team will look to newly signed goalie Jonas Hiller to cut down on the number of pucks hitting the back of the net.   If the team buys into the supposed winning attitude fostered by the front office, they could approach .500 this year with a trip to the playoffs in their sights in the next few years.

The Edmonton Oilers had a rough go of it last season too.  They started out bad and stayed there on the way to a 29 -44-9 record.   But even as bad as their record was, it still wasn’t the worst in the NHL.   That’s little comfort for fans that are looking for their team to at least climb up to respectability.  But that climb will be steep and arduous.  The Oilers are a young team in a tough Pacific division and an even tougher Western Conference.  Even if left winger Taylor Hall can improve on his 80 point season, it still might not be enough for Edmonton.            

Injuries to Watch

Calgary Flames

No injuries to report at this time

Edmonton Oilers

10/06/14 D Nikita Nikitin Ankle out indefinitely
10/06/14 D Jeff Petry Shoulder probable Thursday vs. Calgary

Guy's Pick: Take Calgary

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