Oilers vs. Flames Game 1 NHL Picks: Can Calgary Rediscover Scoring Prowess?

The Battle of Alberta rages on Wednesday night when the Edmonton Oilers storm the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary to battle the Flames. Read on for our Oilers-Flames picks and predictions.

Both the Oilers and Flames took a circuitous route to the second round. Despite being the favored clubs, Edmonton and Calgary each needed all 7 games to topple the Los Angeles Kings and Dallas Stars, respectively.

Connor McDavid continued his reign of terror over NHL goaltenders with a league-leading 14 points in the opening round, while Evander Kane led the Oilers with seven goals in seven games. Conversely, the Flames had trouble scoring with just 15 goals in seven games, but goaltender Jacob Markstrom ensured a series victory with a sterling 1.53 goals-against average, .943 save percentage, and 3.45 goals-saved above average.

Edmonton and Calgary split the season series with two wins apiece.

Will the Flames’ fizzling forwards finally start torching twine and allow Calgary to draw first blood, or will the Oilers steal home ice with a road win?

Here are my picks and predictions for Wednesday's matchup between the Oilers and Flames (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 star scale).

Oilers vs. Flames Game Info

Date: Wednesday, May 18, 9:30 p.m. ETTV: Sportsnet, CBC, ESPN, TVASLocation: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB

Oilers vs. Flames Odds Analysis

Despite more cash being laid in support of the Oilers, the Flames opened as -155 favorites, and the line has moved slightly to -160 at DraftKings. Those looking to back the underdogs can snatch up the Oilers at +140.

The goal total is set at 6, with the Over paying out at -120, while the Under will net you +100.

Oilers vs. Flames Picks

Flames (-160) ????Over 6 (-120) ????Connor McDavid Over 1.5 points (-120) ????

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Oilers vs. Flames Predictions

Flames (-160)

The Flames were shut down by Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger in the opening round. They shouldn't face the same kind of brick wall on Wednesday night. Oilers netminder Mike Smith had his moments in the first round, but he also surrendered three-plus goals three times and won’t be able to stand up to the pressure of a Flames forward contingent itching to produce.

Calgary was a superior team in Corsi for percentage, goals per game, expected goals for, expected goals against, and expected goals-for percentage during the regular season. The Flames were also a beastly 25-9-7 on home ice and 2-0 against the Oilers at home.

Without the terrifying specter of Oettinger looming over them, the Flames' holy trinity of Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm, and Matthew Tkachuk will build on their strong finish to the previous series and unleash monstrous performances against their provincial rivals.

Over 6 (-120)

Don’t let Calgary’s power outage in the first round fool you. The Flames ranked sixth in the NHL in goals per game during the regular season with 3.55, one spot above Edmonton, which found the back of the net 3.48 times a night.

The two teams combined for seven-plus goals in three of their four head-to-head games, and the Oilers scored four-plus goals four times during their first-round series. Expect the Flames’ puck luck to improve on Wednesday night, and the teams will combine for at least seven goals.

McDavid Over 1.5 points (-120)

The most electrifying player on the planet had 14 points in seven games against the Kings, and six of those games were of the multi-point variety. He had a ludicrous 45 multi-point games during the regular season, and he’s poised to stuff the scoresheet again in Game 1.

Where to Bet on Oilers-Flames Picks

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Oilers-Flames picks made on 5/18/2022 at 7:14 a.m. ET.