5 NHL games and players you NEED to watch this Saturday
In what is bound to be a thrilling night of hockey, a busy Saturday night in the NHL sees 24 of the league’s 31 teams in action.
On the second-to-last Saturday night of the NHL’s regular season schedule, there are 12 games on tap. Among teams currently in the playoff picture, or fighting to be there, 13 teams see action. All three teams to have clinched a playoff berth so far this season are also playing Saturday night.
There are seven intra-divisional matchups on the night. In the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division, the Florida Panthers take on the Boston Bruins, while the Ottawa Senators head to Detroit for a date with the Red Wings.
In the Metropolitan Division, the New York Rangers head to Raleigh to take on the Carolina Hurricanes, and the New York Islanders are in New Jersey to take on the Devils.
In the Western Conference, the Central Division sees the Minnesota Wild play the Dallas Stars. Among intra-divisional games in the Pacific Division, the San Jose Sharks head to Vegas to take on the Golden Knights, and the Edmonton Oilers are in Calgary to play the Flames.
Other games this Saturday night include the Montreal Canadians versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres versus the Nashville Predators and the St. Louis Blues versus the Arizona Coyotes.
On a busy Saturday night in the NHL, let’s take a look at a preview of the games you need to watch.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames
Channel: CBC, RSN
Live Stream: Fubo.tv
Time: 10 p.m. ET
In what will be the final battle of Alberta in the NHL’s 2018 season, whenever these two teams meet, they always produce an entertaining game.
It may be garbage time for two disappointing Canadian hockey clubs, but the stakes are always high and bragging rights are on the line when the two teams meet. As of Thursday night, the Oilers have a winning record in March, going 7-5-2. The Flames, meanwhile, have been playing very poor of late. With a 3-8-1 record, the Flames are now officially out of playoff contention.
The Oilers have had the Flames number this season. In the four games they have played, Edmonton holds a 3-1 record. Look for the Flames to try and turn their recent play aside and end the regular season on a high note, starting by beating an Oilers team that ranks 28th in the NHL in both goals allowed per game and penalty kill percentage.
Player to watch: Cam Talbot
Like many Oilers this season, Talbot has been both extremely disappointing and inconsistent. A bright spot on the year for Talbot, however, is his play vs the Calgary Flames. With three games played, Talbot has a 2-1 record backed by a 1.31 GAA, .958 save percentage, and one shutout. Look for him to try and build on these solid numbers if given the start on Saturday night.