Two teams currently on losing streaks, the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames face off at the Scotiabank Saddledome in a Pacific Division showdown. CBC Sports will showcase the matchup, which gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 31.
Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames Odds
The Flames are 35-43 straight up (SU) and have recorded -15.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 45-37 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 78 regular season outings, 38 of its games have gone over the total, while an additional 38 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 15-23 SU at home this year.
Calgary has converted on just 16.3 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places the team in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.7 percent of all penalties.
Calgary, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five games home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 8.2 minutes per game over its 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 best option in goal for the Flames this year. If head coach Glen Gulutzan chooses to rest him, however, the Flames could go with David Rittich (9-12-12 record, .904 save percentage, 2.92 goals against average).
Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will each spearhead the attack for the Flames. Gaudreau (82 points) has tallied 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 credit and has recorded at least one point in 43 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Edmonton is 34-44 straight up (SU) and has lost 16.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 78 regular season matches, 37 of its games have gone over the total, while an additional 37 have gone under and just four have pushed. Edmonton’s 17-22 SU as the visiting team this season.
Edmonton has converted on just 14.6 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.6 percent of all penalties.
Edmonton’s skaters have been penalized 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 1.8 per game over their past five outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Talbot (.907 save percentage and 3.02 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Edmonton. Talbot is averaging 27.6 saves per game and owns a 30-33-3 record.
Connor McDavid (41 goals, 62 assists) has been one of the most vital offensive facilitators for the visiting Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames Betting Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Edmonton is 4-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Calgary is 2-5 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in three of Calgary’s last five games.
Two offenses that shoot the puck early and often, Edmonton has registered the league’s seventh-most shots on goal (33.5) while Calgary has attempted the fifth-most (33.8).
Calgary has averaged 2.6 goals per game this year, but is averaging 1.1 goals per matchup over its seven-game losing skid.
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 skaters have accounted for the league’s second-most hits per game (26.6), but the team’s averaged just 16.6 hits over their last five away games.
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