The Edmonton Oilers (5-3-0) and Calgary Flames (5-1-0) meet Saturday at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+).
The Oilers got the best of the Flames in a best-of-7 playoff series last May, winning 4-1. That touched off an arms race, as both teams improved their rosters in the offseason. Edmonton came up short 4-3 in the first meeting at home Oct. 15.
The Flames have topped Eastern Conference contenders such as the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as the Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights and the defending champion Colorado Avalanche so far. Yeah, it’s been a good start.
Oilers at Flames odds
- Moneyline (ML): Oilers +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Flames -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Oilers +1.5 (-200) | Flames -1.5 (+160)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -140 | U: +115)
Oilers at Flames projected goalies
Jack Campbell (4-2-0, 3.89 GAA, .888 SV%) vs. Jacob Markstrom (4-0-0, 2.50 GAA, .907 SV%)
Campbell is off to a tough start and was pulled in his first meeting with the Flames back on Oct. 15, allowing 4 goals on just 11 shots before boos rained down. He has rebounded with 3 wins in his past 4 starts.
Markstrom is coming off his most complete outing of the season, allowing just 1 goal on 33 shots in a 4-1 victory over the Penguins. He has won all 4 of his decisions, with 1 shaky start against the Buffalo Sabres that resulted in a loss for backup G Dan Vladar.
Oilers at Flames picks and predictions
Prediction
Flames 5, Oilers 3
Moneyline
The FLAMES (-150) have been playing much more consistent hockey so far, and they’ll get it done in the 2nd installment this season of the Battle of Alberta.
The home team is 8-3 in the past 11 regular-season and playoff meetings between these teams, and there is no sense deviating from that trend now.
Puck line/Against the spread
The FLAMES -1.5 (+160) are worth a roll of the dice on the puck line. This game should have plenty of firewagon hockey, and it will resemble Game 1 of last season’s playoff series when the teams combined for 15 total goals. These games are always fun, and this one should be no different. It might take a late empty-net goal to finally get you over the hump here.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5(-140) is a good bet, but you’ll certainly have to pay for it.
The Over is worth it, though. The Over is 5-1-1 in the past 7 meetings in this series and is 20-8-1 in the past 29 battles between the sides at the Saddledome.
Edmonton ranks 2nd in the NHL with 3.9 goals per game (GPG), while ranking 2nd on the power play at 34.5%. It is also a dismal 75% on the penalty kill, ranking 27th. That’s all conducive for Overs.
Calgary ranks 6th in the NHL with 3.7 GPG, while checking in 4th with a 30.4% power-play mark. Look for plenty of offense here.