The Scotiabank Saddledome plays host to a divisional tilt as the Edmonton Oilers come into town to face the Calgary Flames. It’s the fifth and last time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The puck drops at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 31, and you can watch the game live on CBC Sports.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary is 35-43 straight up (SU) and has lost 15.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 45-37 record that the team posted during last years regular season campaign. Of the teams 78 games this season, 38 have gone over the total, while another 38 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the team is 15-23 SU at home.
The Flames have converted on just 16.3 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 28th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.7 percent of all penalties.
The Flames, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five outings home outings. The teams had to kill penalties for just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
With a .916 save percentage and 28.0 saves per game, Mike Smith (25 wins, 29 losses, and six OT losses) has been the top goalkeeper for the Flames this year. If the Flames, however, decide to give him a breather, head coach Glen Gulutzan could turn to David Rittich (9-12-12 record, .904 save percentage, 2.92 goals against average).
The Flames will continue to rely on leadership from Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Gaudreau (82 points) is up to 23 goals and 59 assists and has recorded two or more points 22 times this year. Monahan has 31 goals and 33 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 43 games.
On the other side of the rink, Edmonton is 34-44 straight up (SU) and has lost 16.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 78 regular season outings, 37 of its games have gone over the total, while another 37 have gone under and just four have pushed. The Oilers are 17-22 SU as an away team this season.
The Oilers have converted on just 14.6 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 32nd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Edmonton’s skaters have been penalized 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 1.8 per game over their last five match ups. The teams had to defend opponent power plays just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Talbot (3.02 goals against average and .907 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Edmonton. Talbot is averaging 27.6 saves per game and has 30 wins, 33 losses, and three OT losses to his credit.
Connor McDavid (41 goals, 62 assists) has been one of the primary playmakers on offense for the visiting Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Eight of Calgary’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 0-8 overall in those games.
- Edmonton has allowed 3.2 goals per game overall this year, but is giving up 4.7 goals per contest over its three-game losing streak.
- The Flames are 14-19 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 18-24 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- Edmonton is 4-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Calgary is 2-5 in shootouts.
- Calgary may hold an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The teams 20-16 in games decided by one goal, while Edmonton is 16-18 in such games.
- The over has hit in three of Calgary’s last five games.
- Calgary has averaged 2.6 goals per game (overall) this year, but is averaging 1.1 goals per contest on its seven-game losing streak.
- Calgary has averaged 12.8 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 9.9 giveaways per game (ranked 18th overall).
- Edmonton has averaged 8.0 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 12.5 giveaways per game (ranked 29th overall).
- Edmonton skaters have accounted for the leagues second-most hits per game (26.6), but that numbers down to just 16.6 hits over their last five away games.
