The Edmonton Oilers opened their preseason schedule with two wins in one night as they swept a pair of split-squad games against the Calgary Flames.
At Rogers Place in Edmonton, the Oilers dumped the Flames 5-2.
The Oilers came out firing, outshooting the Flames 10-0 over the first five-and-a-half minutes while getting goals from Mark Letestu and Patrick Maroon with the latter’s goal came on the power play.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins make it 3-0 with 5:10 to go in the frame when his centering pass deflected in off Flames defenceman Michael Stone.
The Oilers had a 17-5 shot advantage during the first period.
For Strome, the emphasis in the scrimages they’ve had so far in camp is to get him to shoot more. He said the message is sinking in.
“I think there’s one or two I could have shot again even, so I’ll try to keep that shot mentality and just keep the game simple. I think if you over think it, especially early on here it’s going to get kind of complicated so make sure to get the puck on net and hopefully good things keep happening,” Strome said.
The game was definitely a learning experience, with a parade to the penalty box. The Oilers had 12 power plays, including three five-on-three opportunities. The big difference was how often the Flames were called for the new standard of slashing. They were called for that five times. Calgary was also assessed a minor for a face off violation.
“We actually had the linesmen come in and talk to us before the game today, just to kind of get a clear definition of what they’re looking for,” Letestu said.
“They don’t want skates touching the hashmarks at all. They want the defensive team paused, and the other team paused, and then a drop. They’re calling the rules the way they’re meant to be called.”
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“It’s a wake up call,” Ryan Strome agreed. “For so many years they’ve kind of let it slip a little bit and now they’re calling it tight again.”
It’s something Maroon doesn’t want to see continue. “You can’t play hockey like that,” Maroon said.
“I hope this is just a trial run. I think for big guys like me, Kas and Luch, we’re more five-on-five and that’s how we get our energy and that’s how we play. This penalty kill – power play stuff is certainly going to hurt the P.K. guys but help power play guys. We’re going to need more guys. We’re not able to roll four lines so I hope this just a trial.”
Dave Cameron, who ran the Flames bench Monday night in Edmonton, said the players have heard about the new standard for slashing since the summer.
“It’s going to be a bit of a change. The instinct is to use your stick to help you get the puck back, but they’ve tightened up the rules on it and the teams that figure it out the quickest will have the biggest advantage,” Cameron said.
Oilers goalie Cam Talbot made a great save on Marek Hrivik nine minutes into the second period. Hrivik had two shorthanded chances from in tight, but Talbot turned them both away. Talbot was replaced by Eddie Pasquale with 9:05 to go in the session after stopping all 11 shots he faced.
The Flames snuck a puck by Pasquale just as the second period ended but it went in after the clock struck zero.
Letestu recorded his second marker of the night on a power play early in the third period. New Oiler Ryan Strome flipped a puck home on a two-man advantage with 4:59 to go.
Matt Bartkowski and Hunter Shinkaruk scored late goals for the Flames.
Pasquale made 12 saves on 14 shots.
In Calgary, Drake Caggiula scored twice, leading the Oilers to a 5-4 victory. Jujhar Khaira, Johan Auvitu, and Kailer Yamamoto also scored. Laurent Brossoit made 12 saves on 13 shots.
Nick Ellis stopped 17 of 20 shots he faced.
The Oilers next game is Wednesday in Winnipeg, before they return to Rogers Place for three games in four nights on Friday, Saturday and Monday.
— With files from Scott Johnston and Brendan Ullrich, 630 CHED
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