Subscribe
Follow Us
The Edmonton Oilers will try and close out the Battle of Alberta as they face the Calgary Flames in Game 5 of the second-round series. It's time to continue our NHL odds series with an Oilers-Flames prediction and pick.
The Oilers defeated the Flames 5-3 in an exciting Game 4. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins struck 21 seconds into the game, giving the Oilers a 1-0 lead. Later, Zach Hyman connected on a power-play goal, shuffling in a rebound of a Conor McDavid shot. The Oil led 2-0 when Evander Kane sniped a shot into the net to give Edmonton a commanding 3-0 lead.
However, the Flames answered back in the second with a power-play goal from Elias Lindholm. It cut the deficit to 3-1. Then, Mikael Backlund scored to make it 3-2. The Flames tied the game in the most improbable way in the third. Rasmus Andersson fired a shot from his own blueline that somehow went off Mike Smith's glove and into the net. It tied the game for a short. Ultimately, Nugent-Hopkins scored the game-winning goal in the middle of the period, and Kane finished it off with an empty-netter to seal the game.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Oilers-Flames NHL Playoffs Odds:
NHL Playoffs Odds: Oilers-Flames Odds
Oilers: +1.5 (-194)
Flames: -1.5 (+160)
Over: 7 (+116)
Under: 7 (-144)
*Watch NHL Games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)
Why The Oilers Could Cover The Spread
Edmonton is playing spectacular hockey right now. McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are firing on all cylinders. Likewise, the second and third lines are executing when they need to. One of the takeaways from Game 4 was the special team's performance. The Oilers went 2 for 4 on the extra-man attack. Edmonton was already a dangerous team but became even more dangerous when given an extra-man advantage.
The defense did a fantastic job of shutting down Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk in the games in Edmonton. Neither star scored after exploding over the first two games. Gaudreau had five points, and Tkachuk had four over the first two games. The defense adjusted to these stars and defended them accordingly. However, goaltending remains an issue.
Smith gave up three goals, including an inexcusable goal in the third. Additionally, Smith played horridly over the first two games. Game 3 is the only game where he has performed well, stopping 32 shots in that contest. Which Smith will we see? The Oilers are hoping it is the guy from Game 3, not the guy from Game 1. He stopped 29 shots on 32 attempts in Game 4 and did enough to keep his team in the game. Alternatively, he might need to do more. The
The Oilers did poorly on faceoffs, winning 43 percent of the draws. Also, they took fewer shots than the Flames. The Oilers cover the spread if they can clamp down on Gaudreau and Tkachuk again and limit shots. In addition to that, they must perform better on the draw. Winning faceoffs will give them plenty more opportunities to score.
Why The Flames Could Cover The Spread
Calgary must get Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk going. Tkachuk scored a hat trick in Game 1 and a mere assist in the Game 2 loss. He and Gaudreau are the catalysts that make the Flames go. It was no coincidence that the Flames lost both games in which neither stat scored. Both must rediscover the scoring touch to give the Flames a chance to come back in this series. But they need help from the defense and the goaltending.
Jacob Markstrom has had a horrible series. After playing relatively well against Dallas, he has allowed four goals or more in each game against the Oilers. Markstrom has not performed and his defense has not helped. Now, both must figure out a way to contain McDavid and Draisaitl. Both skaters have gone off against the Flames. McDavid has two goals and nine assists through four games. Meanwhile, Draisaitl has two goals and 11 assists. It has been a testament to how bad the Flames have defended them and a big reason they trail the series.
The Flames only blocked 11 shots in Game 4, highlighting an inability to drop down to the ice. If Calgary wishes to stay alive, they must adjust and time the Edmonton shots better.
The Flames will cover the spread if Gaudreau and Tkachuk break out of their scoring slump and put some pucks into the net. Additionally, the Flames must stop McDavid and Draisaitl. How they perform against these two will determine if they stay alive.
Final Oilers-Flames Prediction & Pick
The Flames must win to stay alive. It is now or never, and the Flames look down and out. However, Calgary plays better at home and has encountered a do-or-die situation recently. The Flames will go out and execute, to at least extend the series back one more game.
Final Oilers-Flames Prediction & Pick: Flames: -1.5 (+160)
