The Scotiabank Saddledome will play host to a divisional showdown as the Edmonton Oilers pay a visit to the Calgary Flames. The matchup will get underway at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2, and fans at home will be able to witness it live on CBC Sports.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary (+130) is playing the role of underdog to Calgary (-150), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 under, +100 over).
The Flames are 14-11 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 1.4 units this season. That early-season winning percentage is right in line with what the team posted during the 2016-17 season (45-37). Among the teams 25 games this season, 12 have gone over the total, while another 12 have gone under and just one has pushed. The teams 7-6 SU at home this year.
Calgary has converted on 21.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 30th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.0 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Calgary has been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five contests home outings. The team has had to kill penalties for just 5.6 minutes per game over its last five matchups, overall.
Averaging 30.0 saves per game with a .924 save percentage, Mike Smith (13 wins, nine losses, and one OT loss) has been the top goalkeeper for the Flames this season. If the Flames decide to give him the evening off, however, the team may turn to Eddie Lack (1-3-3 record, .813 save percentage, 5.29 goals against average).
Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Flames. Gaudreau (34 points) is up to 11 goals and 23 assists and has recorded two or more points in 11 different games this year. Monahan has 14 goals and 12 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 16 contests.
Edmonton is 10-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 10.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 26 regular season outings, 13 of its games have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and just one has pushed. Edmonton’s 5-8 SU as a road team this season.
Edmonton has converted on 17.6 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 32nd overall and it’s successfully killed off 71.4 percent of all penalties.
Edmonton’s players have been called for penalties 4.3 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five contests. The teams had to kill penalties just 13.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Talbot (25.8 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Edmonton. Talbot has 10 wins, 12 losses, and one overtime loss to his credit, and has registered a .903 save percentage and 3.00 goals against average this year.
Connor McDavid (11 goals, 20 assists) has been one of the top playmaking threats for the visiting Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The total has gone under in four of Calgary’s last five games.
- The Flames are 4-7 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Oilers are 6-9 SU when they serve more minutes than their opponent.
- Calgary skaters have averaged 14.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.9 takeaways per game (ranked 6th in the league).
- Edmonton is ranked eighth in the NHL this season with 8.5 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down recently, however, as it’s averaged 7.5 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.8 takeaways over its last five.
