Rogers Place is the site for a Pacific Division showdown as the Calgary Flames face off against the Edmonton Oilers. The opening face-off is at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 25, and you can catch the game live on Sportsnet West.
Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers Odds
Calgary is 25-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. 26 of its games have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Flames are 13-9 SU as an away team in 2017-18.
Calgary has converted on 18.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all penalties.
The Flames, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 6.2 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays an unhealthy 13.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 29.3 saves per game with a .926 save percentage, Mike Smith (21-19-5) has been the primary option in goal for Calgary this year. If Calgary decides to rest him, however, the team could turn to David Rittich (4-2-1), who has a .932 save percentage and 2.03 goals against average this year.
Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will both lead the way for the visiting Flames. Gaudreau (55 points) is up to 15 goals and 40 assists, and has recorded multiple points 17 times. Monahan has 21 goals and 21 assists to his credit, and has notched a point in 27 games.
Over on the other bench, Edmonton is 21-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 12.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. 25 of its contests have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just one has pushed. It’s 10-14 SU at home this season.
The Oilers have converted on just 14.8 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 32nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 71.4 percent of all penalties.
Edmonton skaters have been called for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Talbot has stopped 25.8 shots per game as the top selection in goal for the Oilers. Talbot has 18 wins, 20 losses, and two OT losses to his name and has registered a mediocre 3.15 goals against average and a subpar .901 save percentage this year.
The home team offense will be led by Connor McDavid (15 goals, 38 assists).
Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton Oilers Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Seven of Edmonton’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals, and the club is 2-5 overall in those games.
The Oilers are 8-17 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Flames are 9-10 SU when they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
Calgary (2-4 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Edmonton has only participated in a couple of shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
The total has gone under in three of Edmonton’s last five games.
Edmonton skaters have averaged 16.2 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 12.2 giveaways per game (ranked 29th).
Calgary skaters have averaged 6.6 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 9.8 giveaways per game (ranked 18th in the league).
The Oilers this season have tallied the most hits in the NHL (27.0 per game), but the team’s averaged 31.6 over their last five home outings.
