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Oilers-Flames Preview

Oct 23, 2009 - 6:34 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Edmonton (6-2-1) at Calgary (6-2-1), 10:00 p.m. EDT

Jarome Iginla finally had a big game for a Calgary Flames offense that has been outstanding. Perhaps that will provide him with a much-needed spark against the Edmonton Oilers.

The Flames captain looks to end his scoring woes against the Oilers as the provincial rivals meet for the third time this season Saturday night.

Iginla helped Calgary (6-2-1) improve to 2-0 on its season-high five-game homestand, breaking out of a slump with a goal and two assists in a 6-3 victory over Columbus on Tuesday night.

It was the first multipoint game of the season for the veteran winger. He had four points in his first eight games for a Flames team that has 36 goals, matching the Oilers (6-2-1) for the Western Conference lead.

Contributions from an array of players such as Rene Bourque, Dion Phaneuf and Curtis Glencross have led Calgary.

"It's been a fun start," Iginla said. "It's still been a really enjoyable October. As a team, it feels like we have a lot of good things going and it feels like we can still get better."

The Flames played their second straight game with Iginla on a line centered by Craig Conroy. The reunited linemates combined to set up goals by Glencross and Jay Bouwmeester in the first period.

Calgary opened its homestand with a 5-3 win over Vancouver, but both Iginla and Conroy were held off the scoresheet.

Iginla failed to register a point in Calgary's two road wins against the Oilers this season. He has been held without a point in seven of his last 10 contests, including his last four, versus the Oilers.

The Flames had three different players score in each of their two victories against the Oilers, most recently a 4-3 shootout victory Oct. 8.

Dustin Penner was held off the scoresheet in that contest, but he has been Edmonton's top scorer. Penner scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season and added three assists in the Oilers' 6-4 win over the Blue Jackets on Thursday night.

"I was trying to set small goals first, I wasn't expecting to see my name up with the league leaders," said Penner, who is tied for fourth in the NHL with 14 points. "That would have to be the best game of my career, certainly statistically. ... It feels really good."

Penner had a tough time getting on track last season, finishing with 27 points. Now he's playing a large role in Edmonton's success.

The Oilers have won three straight and five of six, scoring five goals or more three times during that span.

"It's very good for our confidence," Edmonton winger Ales Hemsky said. "Hopefully we can build on this."

Hemsky also had a five-point game Thursday, contributing a goal and four assists. It was the first time two Oilers have had five points in a game since Nov. 19, 1988, when Glenn Anderson and Jimmy Carson combined for six goals in a 9-1 win against Toronto.

The Oilers may be even stronger offensively for Saturday's contest. Center Gilbert Brule, tied for second on the team with four goals, could be back after missing two straight games because of the flu.

Brule has a goal and an assist against Calgary this season.