Oilers at Flames
THE STORY: The Calgary Flames attempt to continue their dominance
over the visiting Edmonton Oilers when they continue the Battle of
Alberta on Tuesday. Calgary has won nine straight meetings between the
Northwest Division rivals and has outscored Edmonton 16-6 in four
victories this season. The Flames, who are beginning a four-game
homestand, haven't lost to the Oilers since dropping a 4-0 decision in
Edmonton on Oct. 7, 2010.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet West
ABOUT THE OILERS (22-30-6):
Magnus Paajarvi has only two goals this season, with both coming in his
last four games. The 20-year-old Swede, who recorded 15 tallies in 80
contests as a rookie last campaign, failed to score in his first 34
matches in 2011-12. Coach Tom Renney has missed three games with
post-concussion syndrome after being hit in the head with a puck during
practice two weeks ago. Associate coach Ralph Krueger still is seeking
his first win behind the bench. "It's a tough league to score your first
goal, it's a tough league to get your first shutout and, for a coach,
it's a tough league to get your first win," Krueger said. Nikolai
Khabibulin is expected to miss 7-to-10 days with a groin injury that
forced him to leave Sunday's loss to Vancouver after one period. The
Oilers have dropped three straight overall and eight of nine on the
road.
ABOUT THE FLAMES (28-22-9): Calgary has won 10
straight at home against Edmonton, last losing to the Oilers at the
Saddledome on Oct. 17, 2008. Miikka Kiprusoff has started 18 of the
Flames' last 20 contests. The 35-year-old has allowed only six goals
over his last four matches and has not yielded more than three tallies
since surrendering four in a loss at Nashville on Jan. 1. The Flames
have earned at least one point in each of their last eight games
(5-0-3). The surge has catapulted them into the eighth and final playoff
spot in the Western Conference, two points behind seventh-place
Phoenix.
OVERTIME:
1. Edmonton has won only 15 of its last 53 meetings with the Flames and 6 of 28 at Calgary.
2. The Flames have won three in a row and 11 of 14 at home.