The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames face off in the Battle of Alberta for just the second time this season on Friday night. These two teams played in a rare one-off game a couple of weeks ago with the Flames winning 6-4 at home. Friday’s matchup in Calgary is the first half of a home-and-home series.
- Date/Time: February 19, 9 p.m. ET
- Arena: Scotiabank Saddledome
- TV Coverage: RSN1
- Sportsbook Odds: Flames -142 | O/U 6.5 (Line History)
- Oilers vs Flames Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The game opened with the Flames as favorites at -142 and the line can now be found between -117 and -122. The total opened at 6.5 and is locked in at that number with the UNDER the favorite in the -115 to -125 range.
Edmonton News & Notes
After a tough start to the season, the Edmonton Oilers have rebounded in a big way, winning six of their last eight games and climbing up to third place in the North Division in the process.
Of course, it doesn’t hurt having two of the NHL’s best players – and its top two scorers – on your team. Connor McDavid has eight goals and a league-leading 32 points and Leon Draisaitl is not far behind with 28 points.
Overall, the Oilers are second in the league with 40 even-strength goals and rank fourth in overall scoring chances and third in high-danger scoring chances at 5-on-5. The problem for the Oilers is they have allowed 41 even-strength goals and rank in the top six in scoring chances and high-danger chances allowed.
And when you’re giving up chances at such a high rate, it doesn’t help when your goaltending is suspect. Mikko Koskinen has been a big part of Edmonton’s struggles: Out of 29 goalies who have played at least eight games, Koskinen ranks 23rd with a .894 save percentage.
Calgary News & Notes
Goaltending has not been an issue for Calgary as newly signed starter Jacob Markstrom leads the North Division and is 11th in the league (among goalies who have played at least eight games) with a .918 save percentage.
And as strong as the Oilers have been offensively, the Flames are right there with them. Calgary ranks sixth in overall scoring chances and seventh in high-danger scoring chances at even strength. Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm lead the way for the Flames with 16 points apiece.
The last time these teams played, five of Calgary’s six goals were at even strength and the Flames had more shots, overall chances and high-danger chances at even strength.
Betting Pick: Oilers +105
If you can find plus odds on the Oilers, that is the bet to make. Closer to game time, money should come in on the Oilers and even out the odds a bit, and you may consider leaning to the OVER considering Edmonton’s combo of firepower and poor goaltending.
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Buy Sports Picks Now- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Edmonton’s last 5 games.
- Edmonton is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games against Calgary.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of the last 5 games between these teams.
