The Calgary Flames (26-19-6) and Edmonton Oilers (26-18-5) will renew acquaintances Wednesday at Rogers Place at 10 p.m. ET. We analyze the Flames-Oilers sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Flames at Oilers: Projected starting goalies
David Rittich vs. Mike Smith
The all-star Rittich gets the nod after Cam Talbot made the start, and took the shootout loss, in Tuesday’s home game against the St. Louis Blues. Rittich has posted a 19-12-5 record, 2.77 goals against average and .913 save percentage across his 36 starts. He has faced the Oilers just once this season, allowing one goal on 29 shots in a 5-1 win in Edmonton Dec. 27.
Smith checks into this one with a 12-9-3 record, 2.96 goals against average and .901 save percentage through 24 starts and two relief appearances. The Kingston, Ontario native replaced a shaky Mikko Koskinen in that 5-1 loss to Rittich and the Flames Dec. 27, stopping six of the seven shots he faced in relief.
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Flames at Oilers: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Oilers 4, Flames 2
Moneyline (ML)
The OILERS (-125) have won five of their previous seven home battles against the Flames (+105), although Calgary is 6-2 in the past eight meetings. The favorite is also 8-1 in the previous nine in this series, too. The fact the Flames just played Tuesday also works against them, especially since they went to a shootout and then had the quick turnaround for travel, albeit a short jump up to Edmonton.
A $10 bet on the Oilers to win returns a profit of $8, while a $10 wager on the Flames results in a profit of $10.50.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The Oilers (-1.5, +220) are the lean here, although I’d go super, super light if I were you. The Flames (+1.5, -278) are just too risky to play, especially considering their poor record in recent games in Edmonton, and the fact they might have tired legs after going to a shootout Tuesday. AVOID.
Over/Under (O/U)
OVER 5.5 (-133) is the play, although I don’t like the added juice tacked on, and don’t love the number that much anyway. If you play the alternate line of Over 6.5 (+135), I’m not terribly keen on this one being a high-scoring affair. I barely like the 5.5. The Under is also 33-16-4 in the past 53 meetings between these provincial rivals in Edmonton. The best play might be not to play at all.
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