Battle of Alberta Has Been Anything But Dull

Calgary Has No Answers For The Connor McDavid Line

Sadly for Calgary, the injury to Christopher Tanev offers us the question of what might have been. It was thought by some that Connor McDavid’s line would get its points and that Calgary could still win the series. 

Someone forgot to tell McDavid. He had three assists in the Game 3 win. Then, the center has multiple points in every game of this series. In all, McDavid has two goals and seven assists in the three contests. 

What is odd is that the same, repetitive transitional mistakes seem to be haunting Calgary. This is true particularly when McDavid and his line are on the ice. Evander Kane had a hat trick on Sunday night literally from just driving to the net. Zach Hyman drove right for the net as McDavid made the moves, got him the puck, and then the puck was in the net. 

Speed kills and McDavid's speed kills even faster. Calgary has not played its game and instead has let McDavid and one other factor creep into their heads this series.

Goaltending Has Been Edmonton’s Friend

The Oilers made their lives difficult in their opening series against the Los Angeles Kings. They fought through it only to allow nine goals in Game 1. Once that was out of their system, Edmonton simply started to play hockey. 

As we said, Edmonton was an underdog heading into this series mainly because the assumption was one line could not beat a team. The problem is this: one line is repeatedly haunting the Calgary Flames. Also, Mike Smith is outplaying Jacob Markstrom. That’s a fact.

Smith has been very good in goal since the early part of Game 2. That is what Edmonton needs more than anything. He made 37 saves out of 40 shots during the second game. Smith stopped 32 of 33 shots in the Game 3 triumph. It is early but Markstrom has allowed four or more goals in every game so far. Few pundits could have expected that.

Now comes the hard part. What will happen next?

Calgary Needs A Momentum Shift, Edmonton Likes It Like That

This second round lies in contrast to what happened in the first round. Calgary appears content to try to outscore the Oilers. That can be hard to do against such generational talent in the form of McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. 

Again, credit the Oilers for playing to their strengths. They are allowing their stars to shine and getting incredibly timely goaltending from Smith. That is their formula for success for better or for worse in this series. Speed and transitional acceleration are hurting Calgary at every turn.

Now, what looms might be the most challenging battle for bettors to comprehend. The “Battle Of Alberta” continues on Tuesday night. Do the Flames finally start to play smarter or are the Oilers continue to fill the space created and utilize their speed and talent?

Calgary was an early 1.50 favourite as series betting opens over Edmonton. After three games, the number has almost completely flipped. The Edmonton Oilers are now a 1.54 favourite to eliminate the Calgary Flames.

Tuesday night cannot come soon enough. The momentum twists and turns are far from over.