The Edmonton Oilers (10-8-0) visit the Calgary Flames (8-7-1) Friday for a 9 p.m. ET puck drop. Below we analyze the Oilers-Flames NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Oilers at Flames: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:06 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Oilers +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Flames -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Oilers +1.5 (-250) | Flames -1.5 (+200)
- Over/Under: 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Oilers at Flames: Projected starting goalies
Mikko Koskinen (6-8-0, 3.43 GAA, .894 SV%) at Jacob Markstrom (8-5-1, 2.61 GAA, .918 SV%, 2 SO)
The Oilers got a nice outing from G Mike Smith last time out, but Koskinen remains the top dog in Edmonton for now. Koskinen has allowed two or fewer goals in three of his four appearances in February, and he has a pair of wins in his three starts in the month. After a rough start to the season, Koskinen finally looks to be turning things around. However, he did allow six goals on 28 shots in a 6-4 loss at Calgary in his most recent showing against the Flames.
Markstrom coughed up five goals on 29 shots in his most recent showing, and he was pulled in the third period in favor of G David Rittich. Markstrom was making his sixth appearance of the season against the Canucks, his old team, and he was due for a stinker. Look for the Flames to turn back to Markstrom for the Battle of Alberta. He allowed four goals on 32 shots in a 6-4 win Feb. 6 at home against the Oilers in his only appearance in the rivalry to date.
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Oilers at Flames: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Flames 5, Oilers 3
Money line (ML)
The FLAMES (-125) are the play on their home ice in the front end of this home-and-home with the Oilers. The favorite has cashed in nine of the past 12 meetings in this series, and Calgary has won five of its past seven at home against Edmonton. In fact, the Oilers are just 1-4 in the past five meetings overall in this series, as their rivals have had their number lately.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The FLAMES -1.5 (+200) are a tempting play on home ice, and worth a small-unit play despite the fact these games tend to be high-scoring and usually very close. It’s also a risky play with Calgary coming off a 5-1 loss last time out on home ice against Vancouver. In addition, just one of the Flames’ past three wins are by more than one goal, although they did win 6-4 in the first meeting with the Oilers. However, a low-risk, small bet is warranted, as a chance to double up is just too tough to pass up.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 6.5 (-110) is risky business, especially since the Flames are 3-1-1 to the Under in the past five outings, and 5-2-1 in the previous eight. However, one of those Over results was against the Oilers Feb. 6. The Under is also 4-1 for Calgary in the previous five. I don’t love 6.5 total lines, especially when playing the Over, but the Over is 4-0-1 in the past five meetings and 18-7-1 in the past 26 in Calgary.
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