Oilers vs Flames Prediction & Odds: Edmonton Looking To Clinch Series On The Road

The Edmonton Oilers (56-30-7) will go for their fourth straight win over the Calgary Flames (55-27-11) on Thursday and try to move on to the Western Conference final as small road underdogs in Game 5 of their second-round series. The Oilers vs Flames prediction has the hosts as the slightly higher-ranked team, and they hope to use their home-ice advantage to avoid elimination after winning seven of their last nine games at the Saddledome.

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Oilers vs Flames Odds & Analysis

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Calgary is a much better team than it has shown in the last three games and probably the entire series – especially defensively – despite winning Game 1 by a 9-6 score. That is why the Flames are getting a lot of respect from bettors heading into Game 5, knowing they are back home with their backs against the wall and needing a victory to stay alive. The line has jumped as much as 20 cents in early wagering, as Calgary’s backers are obviously counting on the team sending the series back to Edmonton.

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Smith Makes Up For Big Blunder With Key Saves In Game 4

Oilers goaltender Mike Smith did not have his best performance in Game 4, allowing defenseman Rasmus Andersson to score the game-tying goal from 150 feet away while the Flames were short-handed. Calgary trailed 3-0 and did not give up in the 5-3 loss, so Smith will need to be ready for a barrage of shots knowing his opponent’s season is on the line.

Smith still made 29 saves in the win for the Oilers, including a few key ones down the stretch when the Flames were trying to tie things up yet again before Evander Kane added his NHL-leading 12th goal of the playoffs on an empty-netter at the 19:35 mark of the third period.

The offensive firepower has been there throughout for Edmonton, but Smith’s ability to hold the opposition to fewer goals has been the difference lately.

Calgary Comeback Falls Short But Confidence Gained In Loss

It is do-or-die time for the Flames, who have to be confident that they can win Game 5 after how they rallied back in Game 4.

The confidence gained by the Oilers between Games 1 and 2 can be used as an example for them to follow, as Edmonton trailed that one by four goals on two different occasions before tying it at 6-6 early in the third period.

Calgary has the potential to do the same thing here, but playing better defensively is a must for this club. The Oilers vs Flames predictions – on both the side and total – revolve around the ability of the hosts to tighten things up on D and play their best game of the series in Game 5.

Oilers vs Flames Pick & Insights

Oilers: Keys To Victory

The key for Edmonton is to keep the pressure on its opponent and not put any pressure on itself. The Oilers have thrived by playing loose and letting their scorers score, and that style has resulted in different players stepping up every night. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was the latest to come through with a pair of goals while Kane added another pair as well and Zach Hyman scored his seventh of the postseason. If Connor McDavid and/or Leon Draisaitl find the back of the net in this spot, Edmonton should win again. 

Flames: Keys To Victory

Coaching is the key for Calgary, as head coach Darryl Sutter has been in similar spots and knows what it takes to win. When Sutter was with the Los Angeles Kings, he got them to rally back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the San Jose Sharks en route to winning the Stanley Cup, so anything is possible. The good thing is his players will have support from their fans in Game 5, and goalie Jacob Markstrom cannot play much worse than he has in the first four games (4.75 goals-against average and .850 save percentage). The Vezina Trophy finalist is certainly capable of playing much better, and you are obviously banking on that happening if you are taking the hosts with your Oilers vs Flames pick. 

NHL Computer Pick: Oilers ML (+130)

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