Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, and the Edmonton Oilers will face off against Matthew Tkachuk, Johnny Gaudreau, and the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome in a divisional tilt. This one will get started at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 1 and it’ll be televised live on CBC Sports.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary comes into the contest as the heavy favorite with a -155 moneyline. The line for the Oilers sits at +135, and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -130 for the over and +110 for the under at William Hill Sportsbook.
Calgary is 27-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Pacific Division in this young season, is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 52 games this season, 23 have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just three have pushed. Thus far, the team is 13-11 SU at home.
The Flames have converted on 19.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 12th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 28.5 saves per game with a .913 save percentage, David Rittich (20-17-5) has been the best option in goal for Calgary this year. If head coach Geoff Ward chooses to give him the evening off, however, the team may go with Cam Talbot (7-10-10 record, .919 save percentage, 2.62 goals against average).
Edmonton has earned moneyline bettors 3.4 units this year and is currently 27-24 straight up (SU). 25 of its matches have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. The Oilers are 14-12 SU as an away team this season.
The Oilers currently tout the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as they’ve converted on 29.4 percent of their extra-man advantages this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked eighth overall and it’s successfully defended 82.6 percent of all penalties.
Mikko Koskinen (2.87 goals against average and .911 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Edmonton. Koskinen is averaging 27.9 saves per game and has 15 wins, 13 losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames Betting Predictions
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
The Flames are 6-1 in games that go to shootout. The Oilers are 2-2 in shootouts.
For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their past five outings.
Edmonton has managed 29.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Calgary has been attempting 34.8 shots per game over its last five at home.
Seven of Edmonton’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 7-0 in those games.
Edmonton skaters created 26.7 hits per game last season, while the Flames forced 16.3 hits per contest.
