20210402_flames_oilers_tkachuk

MATTHEW TKACHUK ON THE DIFFERENCE:

SAM BENNETT ON FILLING IN FOR BACKLUND:

"Obviously, playing centre is something I'm comfortable with. Backs plays a big role on this team shutting down guys, so obviously I'm not going to fill those shoes. But I look at myself as a guy that can fill in anywhere and play any position, so I just tried to do my job tonight. It's frustrating that we didn't get the win."

DARRYL SUTTER'S THOUGHTS:

"I think it was pretty even. Good opportunities to go ahead or to tie it up and didn't. The powerplay goal, that's a faceoff goal that I'm not so sure that Markstrom saw it or not. It was hard to tell from the bench."

"I think it was pretty even"

ON 2-2 ENTERING THE THIRD:

"Tie game, you've got to get to the net. Lindy has a chance with the goalie out, you've got to bury it. You've got to get to 65 minutes. You can't be satisfied to say that we were close or that you tried hard."

ON BENNETT'S MOVE TO CENTRE:

"He can move around the lineup. That's the big thing and I trust moving him around. When Backs wasn't able to go, it wasn't easy. We only have the five centremen including the taxi squad, so Sam was logical to go in there and he gives you his all every night. … He's been fine. All I've asked him of him is to go in straight lines, work hard and make easy plays, and I think he's done that."