The Edmonton Oilers are set to take on their provincial rivals, the Calgary Flames, tonight at the Scotiabank Saddledome in a highly anticipated matchup known as the Battle of Alberta. This will be the final meeting of the season for these two teams.
With recent performances in mind, predictions lean towards an Oilers victory. The Oilers’ odds stand at -130 against the Flames, who have struggled since trading defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Calgary’s form has dipped significantly, with a record of 1-4-2 following the trade and a troubling average of just 1.72 goals per game in that span.
The Oilers are looking to bounce back after a 5-2 defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, where they allowed two power-play goals and an empty-netter in the third period. Despite playing back-to-back games, the close proximity of the two cities minimizes travel fatigue, which could work in Edmonton’s favor.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has also been a bright spot for the Oilers, finding the scoresheet in 11 of 16 games since January. Paired with superstar Connor McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins has been part of a potent scoring combination for the team, averaging an impressive 6.77 goals per 60 minutes on the ice together this season.
For those looking to place bets, a same-game parlay includes the Oilers moneyline, under 6.5 total goals, and an over on Nugent-Hopkins recording at least one point. The betting odds reflect the tight contest expected, with the Oilers at -130 and the Flames at +110.
Fans can tune in to watch the game at 10:00 p.m. ET on Sportsnet, as both teams fight for crucial points in the season. With recent struggles for the Flames and a motivated Oilers team, tonight’s matchup promises to deliver an exciting showdown.