When you scan the NHL schedule to find games to watch and wager on, there are always a few that jump right off the page and smack you in the face. Games featuring the Original Six going head to head are always popular, as are those that are considered to be rivalry games. Hockey is at its very best when you have a pair of teams who really don’t like each other very much squaring off.
Things are better still when the teams in question are both having good seasons. After all, rivalry games are a good deal more appealing when there is something more than pride to play for.
The Battle of Alberta is one of the more ferocious rivalries on the NHL, and with the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers both in the hunt for the Pacific Division crown, this matchup could prove to be a beauty on Wednesday night.
The battle for the Pacific is about as tight as it gets, so there is very little margin for error for either of these teams. It is the Oilers who are favored by 1 ½ on home ice, with the goal total for this one set at 6.
Flames vs Oilers 2020 NHL Lines, Analysis & Prediction
- When: Wednesday, January 29 at 10 PM EST
- Where: Rogers Place, Edmonton
- TV: R360, TVA
- Radio: Calgary / Edmonton
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Odds: Oilers -1.5
Why bet on the Calgary Flames?
If the season were to end today, the Calgary Flames would be in the playoffs with a very decent seeding, but with a good portion of the season still to play, that could change. The Pacific Division is absolutely crazy, with just 3 points separating 1st from 5th. The Flames are sitting in second right now sporting a record of 26-19-6.
They moved to 6-3-1 in their last 10 games after going down 5-4 in a SO loss to the defending champion St. Louis Blues last night. Back to back games on consecutive nights are never easy, but at least it’s a short trip for the Flames, who are 13-12-2 on the road this season. Calgary has won both prior meetings with Edmonton this season, outscoring them 7-4 in those games. In their last 10 versus the Oilers, Calgary is 6-3-1.
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 2.73
- Shots: 31.33
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.00
- Goals: 2.98
- Shots: 32.41
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.95
Why bet on the Edmonton Oilers?
This is a huge game for the Edmonton Oilers, as a win here would vault them over the Flames and into second in the Pacific Division, just a point back of the Vancouver Canucks on top. The Oilers have been coming to life of late, winning back to back games and going 6-3-1 in their last 10. Edmonton actually has more wins on the road than they have at home this season, although they are still a somewhat respectable 12-8-3 in their own building.
As far as covering the spread goes, they have nit been a great bet on home ice, going 8-15 ATS in those games. When playing as a favorite, the Oilers have seen 6 of their last 9 games go OVER the goal total.
Team Statistics
Offense- Goals: 3.16
- Shots: 29.18
- PP/PK Percentage: 29.53
- Goals: 3.12
- Shots: 31.43
- PP/PK Percentage: 17.73
NHL Betting Trends for Flames vs Oilers
- Calgary are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Calgary’s last 7 games against an opponent in the West conference
- Edmonton are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Edmonton’s last 9 games when playing as the favourite
Flames vs Oilers Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
I initially liked the Flames to win this one, but I am a little concerned that they are coming in to this one on the heels of an OT game last night. I am sticking with my original thought, though, with taking them ATS looking like the safest option.
Calgary Flames 4 Edmonton Oilers 3
