Oilers vs Flames Picks & Odds: Calgary Hopes to Stay Hot After Road Trip

Following a successful road trip before the holiday, the Calgary Flames (16-12-7) return home from the Christmas break to host the Edmonton Oilers (18-15-2) on Tuesday as solid favorites at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. The Flames won three of four games on their trip – beating the San Jose Sharks twice – to earn six out of a possible eight points after losing their previous five, including their last two at the Saddledome.

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Oilers vs Flames Sportsbook Odds

Calgary has gone 10-6-2 at home compared to 6-6-5 on the road this year while Edmonton has played better away from Rogers Place with a 9-6-1 mark (9-9-1 at home). The line on this game has come down slightly to -144 in favor of the Flames, who needed the extra rest after seeing their last two decided in overtime. In fact, five of Calgary’s past eight games have gone to OT or a shootout, while the team’s foe has seen only four decided in extra time all season, winning two of them. Two of those for the Oilers have taken place in their last five games, with them losing both along with four overall during that span.

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Edmonton Still Searching for Defensive Answers to End 2022

The broken record keeps skipping along this year for the Oilers: how good would they be if they could just keep the opposition from scoring so much on them? Sure, it is great to have two of the NHL’s top individual scorers in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but what good is that if opponents continue to average 3.46 goals against them?

That is good (or bad) for ninth-worst in the league and must change if Edmonton is going to make another run at the postseason. In losing four of five, the Oilers have given up four goals or more each time. They have scored five goals or more in each of their last six wins.

Calgary Looking to Turn Tables on One-Sided Series Lately

Calgary has dropped five of the past six meetings in this series, with the last three all decided by only one goal. These Pacific Division rivals do not like each other, and the road team has won the first two meetings this year. So what do the Flames need to do in order to get the upper hand in this spot?

Well, like their opponent, they have given up a lot of goals in their losses recently, with goaltender Jacob Markstrom (11-8-4, 2.84 goals-against average, .894 save percentage) continuing his struggles. Markstrom was marvelous during the 2021-22 regular season before melting down in the playoffs against this same Edmonton team, losing four of five and giving up 18 goals in those losses.

Oilers: Keys To Victory

Goaltending has been a concern for years with this club while scoring has not. Edmonton has Calgary’s number, and Markstrom has lost five straight in this matchup, including last postseason. The Oilers are better on the road as stated earlier, and assuming Markstrom gets the nod, they can stay inside his head by peppering him with shots early and often.  

Flames: Keys To Victory

Calgary’s second-most recent win in this series was 9-6 in Game 1 of last year’s playoff matchup. The Flames had more offensive firepower back then, though, with Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk still around. They scored four goals on their first 11 shots in their last victory of the series on October 15, including one by new addition Nazem Kadri, to chase Edmonton goalie Jack Campbell. A similar offensive effort would be huge here.

NHL Computer Pick: UNDER 6.5

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