Flames believe in Markstrom heading into Game 2 against Oilers

CALGARY — The message was clear for the Calgary Flames. They must do a better job of helping Jacob Markstrom by containing Connor McDavid.

Sure, their offense was on full display in a 9-6 win against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Second Round at Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday, but the Flames know their defense has to be better. Markstrom has to be better in goal. They need to stifle the Oilers, and that starts with trying to contain McDavid. Edmonton’s top center had a goal and three assists in the series opener.

“He’s the best player in the League. He was the best player on the ice last night. Not even close,” Flames coach Darryl Sutter said of McDavid. “So at the end of the series, if Connor McDavid gets four points a game, have a good next series, Connor.”

Game 2 of the best-of-7 series will be here Friday (10:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, CBC, SN, TVAS).

[RELATED: Complete Flames vs. Oilers series coverage]

Although this is McDavid’s first Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Flames, he’s played well against them throughout his career, with 47 points (26 goals, 21 assists) in 34 regular-season games. The only team he’s been more productive against is the Vancouver Canucks; he has 54 points (17 goals, 37 assists) in 34 games.

Markstrom allowed six goals in Game 1 for the first time since a 6-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Jan. 4. The Oilers scored four goals on 11 shots in the second period, with McDavid having the primary assist on two of them.

“It’s nothing on him,” Calgary defenseman Rasmus Andersson said of Markstrom. “He’s been our best player all year. We just didn’t help him enough today, and that’s on all the other 18 guys out there.”

Markstrom looked more himself in the third period of Game 1, when he saved nine of 10 shots.

“I thought five (goals) would be enough, but obviously they got the sixth to tie it up right away [in the third]. But I mean, the guys responded, the guys were great in front of me,” Markstrom said. “Obviously, I have to be better, everyone knows that, myself included. But to have a game like that in the playoffs and still come out with a win, that’s a good feeling. The guys definitely bailed me out, so now we’re excited for tomorrow.”

Markstrom is coming off his best NHL season and is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, which is awarded annually to the best goalie in the NHL. He was 37-15-9 with a 2.22 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and an NHL-leading nine shutouts in 63 regular-season games.

Markstrom carried it over into the first round against the Dallas Stars, going 4-3 with a 1.53 GAA (best among goalies), .943 save percentage (11 goals on 192 shots) and one shutout.

As a result, Calgary is confident he will return to form in Game 2.

“He’s one of the best goalies in the League and he bailed us out a couple of times against Dallas, and it was our time to return the favor,” Flames forward Elias Lindholm said. “And you know, we’re feeling good every time he’s in the net, and he’s been playing great all season, so stuff like that’s going to happen.

“I felt there were a couple of situations where we just didn’t communicate good enough. We could’ve done that better. It’s just small things like that and obviously late in the second, we have to know the clock better and we’re up two or three and they pretty much came back to a 6-5 game. We just have to know the clock and communicate better and watch a couple of clips tomorrow and get ready.”