The Edmonton Oilers will try to even up the second-round series as they meet the Calgary Flames for Game 2 at the Scotiabank Saddledome. It's time to continue our NHL odds coverage with an Oilers-Flames prediction and pick. 

 

It was a wild night in Alberta as the Flames defeated the Oilers 9-6 in Game 1. Things started fast when Elias Lindholm scored a goal 26 seconds into the game to give the Flames a 1-0 lead. Then, Andrew Mangiapane fires one into the net 25 seconds later to make it 2-0 Flames. Brett Ritchie scored a goal a few minutes later to chase goalie Mike Smith from the game. Later, Connor McDavid put the Oilers on the board with a goal just before the end of the first to cut the deficit to 3-1. 

The Flames struck again early in the second when Blake Coleman fired one past Mikko Koskinen to give the Flames a 4-1 lead. Then, Coleman scored again not long after to make it 5-1 Calgary. After giving up a goal to the Oilers, Matthew Tkachuk scored a power-play goal to give the Flames a commanding 6-2 lead. Zach Hyman put up two goals for the Oilers to close the gap before Leon Draisaitl added one to cut the deficit to 6-5. 

Kailer Yamamoto tied the game over a minute into the third before the wheels fell off. Next, Rasmus Andersson gave the Flames the go-ahead goal before Tkachuk added two more to seal the game. 

Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Oilers-Flames NHL Playoffs odds:

NHL Playoffs Odds: Oilers-Flames Odds

Oilers: +1.5 (-170)

Flames: -1.5 (+140)

Over: 6.5 (-128)

Under: 6.5 (+104)

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Why The Oilers Could Cover The Spread

Edmonton played a sloppy game on Wednesday, allowing Calgary's best players to skate all around them. However, the Oilers have proven during these playoffs that they are capable of bouncing back. It starts in the faceoff circle, where the Oilers won 53 percent. Because of this, Edmonton had plenty of opportunities to score. Regardless, they came up empty on the extra-man attack, going 0 for 4 on the power play. They cannot allow the Flames to have many power-play chances either, as the Flames went 1 for 3. 

McDavid and Draisaitl continued to excel, as McDavid had a goal and three assists while Draisaitl had a goal and two assists. Likewise, the Oilers got a combined three goals and three assists from Hyman, Yamamoto, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton must play better defense in front of the net as they allowed 10 shots within the first six minutes in Game 1. Also, Mike Smith must be sharper in the net and give his team the best chance to win. 

The Oilers will cover the spread if they keep winning faceoffs and block more shots. Likewise, Edmonton cannot allow Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau to play loose and must clamp down on them. 

Why The Flames Could Cover The Spread

Calgary did almost everything right in Game 1, but there were still plenty of issues. The Flames blew a 6-2 lead because they gave the Oilers a lot of room to skate, and it allowed Nugent-Hopkins to tally two quick goals that put Edmonton back in the game. Now, the Flames must play better defense and contain McDavid and Draisaitl. 

The Flames also need better goaltending from Jacob Markstrom in Game 2. Markstrom has proven he can shut down these Oilers, as he did on March 8 when he stopped 27 of their 28 shot attempts in a 3-1 win. Now, the goal is for him to bounce back from what was an ugly match. He made 22 saves on 28 shots and otherwise allowed McDavid and Draisaitl to dictate a comeback attempt. The Flames cannot relax if they build another significant lead. Additionally, these Oilers are too good to not clampdown. 

The Flames will cover the spread if they can put the brakes on McDavid and Draisaitl. Likewise, it could lead to a better overall defensive effort. Goaltending and defense will be the key in Game 2, as the Flames aim for a commanding 2-0 series lead. 

Final Oilers-Flames Prediction & Pick

The Battle of Alberta certainly lived up to the hype in Game 1. Now, there is a question about whether the Oilers can win in Calgary. They have lost three games at the Scotiabank Saddledome this season. However, the Oilers are 2-2 on the road in these playoffs and have not lost two road games in a row. Edmonton does not want to go down 0-2, so expect the Oilers to build more energy and firepower. A renewed focus on defense will help them. Expect the Oilers to keep this game close to the very end. They will cover the spread and give the fans another exciting battle in Alberta. 

Final Oilers-Flames Prediction & Pick: Oilers: +1.5 (-170)