Unbeaten Flames Defeat Winless Oilers 4-1

Summary: 

• The Calgary Flames defeated the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, score 4-1.
• Rasmus Andersson, Anthony Mantha, Justin Kirkland, and Connor Zary scored, keeping the Flames undefeated at the start of the season. 
• The Oilers replied through Jeff Skinner but continued their winless streak.

Rasmus Andersson, the Calgary Flames’ 27-year-old “offensively active defenceman who works a power dynamic” had an excellent Sunday match at Rogers Place against rivals Edmonton Oilers. 

The Swedish alternate captain scored a goal and had two assists, helping his team stay undefeated at the start of the NHL season when they defeated the Oilers 4-1.

Mantha Scored His 300th Point

Anthony Mantha, who the Red Wings selected with the No. 20 pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, Winnipeg-born centre Justin Kirkland, and Saskatoon-born Connor Zary who was selected 24th overall by the Flames in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, also contributed to the final scoreboard for the Flames, who improved to 3-0.

Mantha’s 300th point in his NHL career also proved to be a game-winner on Sunday. 

Calgary pulled ahead 2-1 seven minutes into the third period after sustained offensive pressure in Edmonton’s zone. 

Mantha capitalized on a rebound, lifting it over Skinner for his second goal of the season.

Oilers, Outscored 15-3 in the First Three Contests

Jeff Skinner scored for the Oilers who are once again off to another bad start of the season at 0-3 after starting last season at 2-9-1. 

However, despite their early struggles, the Oilers rebounded and eventually reached Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final before falling to the Florida Panthers. 

This season, they’ve been outscored 15-3 over their first three games, all played at home.

In goal, Dan Vladar made 24 saves for Calgary, while Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner recorded 25 stops.

Captain Connor McDavid assisted on Jeff Skinner’s goal in the first period, marking the 15th time he has assisted in a player’s first goal as an Oiler. 

That tied Ryan Smyth for second-best in franchise history in the category, behind only Wayne Gretzky’s 21 first-goal assists.

Questionable Decision

The Oilers appeared to have extended their lead to 2-0 late in the first period when Troy Stecher’s snapshot was tipped past Vladar by Corey Perry. 

However, Calgary successfully challenged the goal for goaltender interference, leading to its overturn, a decision that some considered questionable. 

The NHL explained their video review concluded that Perry “had a significant presence in the crease which impaired Dan Vladar’s ability to play his position prior to his goal”, a ruling that was made in line with Rule 69.1.

Edmonton then had another goal disallowed at 5:40 of the second period, as Derek Ryan’s would-be tally was negated due to Viktor Arvidsson being clearly offside.

The Oilers took to their social media to comment on Sunday’s defeat, saying

Every time we’ve been in a tough spot here over the last few years we’ve put our heads down & worked one day at a time & that’s the approach we’ve gotta take.

Tuesday will see them host the Philadelphia Flyers while the Flames will host the Chicago Blackhawks. For the latest NHL odds visit our selection of sportbooks.