9:07 pm
February 19

Oilers @ Flames

Who will WIN this matchup?

Edmonton Oilers (10-8-0)

@ Calgary Flames (8-7-1)

 

Starting Goalies:

Mike Smith (EDM): Confirmed

David Rittich (CGY): Confirmed

 

Current odds:

Edmonton Oilers: (-110)

Calgary Flames: (-110)

 

• They are only a couple of games beyond the one-quarter mark of the season, but the Calgary Flames are well aware they’re at a tipping point. Coming off a 5-1 shellacking at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday — and entering a set of games against the Edmonton Oilers beginning Friday at home — the Flames know full well their recent performances won’t cut it.

• The Flames split a series of four games with the Canucks but can’t fool themselves. They were outplayed in all four contests, even the two they won, and were guilty of horrible first periods.

• Curiously, the Flames had a chance to win all those games. Even in their last outing, they trailed 2-1 with less than two minutes remaining in the second period. The sluggish starts — which have led them to surrendering the first goal in 10 of 16 games and having been outscored 17-10 in first periods — has become a bone of contention.

• The Oilers, meanwhile, are rolling. They have won seven of their last nine, the latest a 3-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday. Edmonton is three points ahead of the Flames — albeit with two more games played — and cognizant of the opportunity to create space between the North Division rivals.

• Thanks to their success, the Oilers are having plenty of fun. The last game saw star Connor McDavid reach the 500-point mark for his career in his 369th game, which tied him with Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby for the eighth-fastest player in league history to reach that mark.

• That said, wins are of bigger importance to the Oilers, and their most recent victory has them feeling they’re on track, especially after dropping the previous clash to the Jets.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Edmonton Oilers
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