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Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl shoots and scores on Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros as we offer our Oilers vs. Flames prediction.
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl shoots and scores on Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros. Photo by Steve Roberts via Imagn Images

An intriguing Battle of Alberta is on tap Sunday at the Scotiabank Saddledome when the Calgary Flames host the Edmonton Oilers.

The Stanley Cup odds favorite Edmonton Oilers secured a crucial victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday in their first full game without the injured Connor McDavid.

Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames ended their four-game losing skid with an impressive 3-0 home win against the New Jersey Devils on Friday. The Flames got the better of the Oilers in the club's first head-to-head matchup of the season, winning 4-1 in Edmonton.  

Edmonton unsurprisingly enters Sunday's contest (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+) as the favorite, and our Oilers vs. Flames prediction analyzes why we expect the teams to combine for Under 6.5 goals. 

Oilers vs. Flames prediction

Odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.

My best bet: Under 6.5 goals ⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -105 via Betway | Implied probability: 51.22%

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Six of the last seven Oilers' games and four of Calgary's previous five have seen six or fewer goals. While that trend matters, this encounter's specific matchup and timing also point to the Under. 

While McDavid's absence is obviously a stiff blow to the Oilers' offense, I feel the collective mind frame shift bears even more weight. Kris Knoblauch will impress upon the team the importance of playing sound defensive hockey while McDavid is sidelined, especially with Calvin Pickard and Stuart Skinner trying to return to peak form. 

Over/Under result shouldn't depend on who starts in goal

The starting netminders are unconfirmed, but I don't think the Over/Under scenario changes much regardless of who either team decides to go with.

Skinner has allowed three or fewer goals in four of the last five games and, except for his relapse in Columbus, is starting to return to the form that helped guide his team to the Stanley Cup Final. 

Pickard has won three in a row, allowing just five goals in that stretch. 

Excluding the 6-1 letdown against the Blue Jackets, the Oilers have allowed three goals in the last three contests, including a shutout against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Dan Vladar secured the Flames' first shutout of the season against the high-octane Devils, turning aside 22 shots. While he should get the start, Calgary has alternated its starting goaltender every game thus far.

That strict policy should change Sunday, especially as Vladar allowed only one goal against Edmonton earlier in the season. It does concern me if Dustin Wolf gets the nod, as he allowed five goals in both previous starts. He was better in his first three starts, though, allowing seven total goals. 

A winning $10 bet will yield a $9.52 profit. 

Oilers vs. Flames player prop bet

NHL picks made Sunday; odds subject to change.

Connor Zary prop bet: Over 1.5 shots ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: -138 via Betway | Implied probability: 57.98%

Zary has at least two shots on goal in eight of 11 games this season (73%). He's getting time on the second power-play unit and is tied for third in team scoring, making him one of the Flames' most influential offensive players.

He's averaging 2.27 shots per contest and hit the Over last time the Flames played Edmonton. 

A winning $10 bet will yield a $7.25 profit. 

Leon Draisaitl prop bet: Anytime goal ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best odds: +130 via Betway | Implied probability: 43.48%

McDavid's absence offers Leon Draisaitl the opportunity to step up and be the go-to guy in oil country. Draisaitl was heating up before McDavid's injury, as the 29-year-old had four goals in the five games prior to the captain's injury. 

Like everyone on the Oilers, Draisaitl laid an ostrich-sized egg in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. Maybe the team was in shock after seeing their captain get injured. Either way, Draisaitl was back to his old tricks in the next game in Nashville, where he scored two goals. 

A winning $10 bet will yield a $13 profit. 

Oilers vs. Flames live odds & info

  • When: Sunday, Nov. 3
  • Puck drop: 8 p.m. ET
  • Where: Scotiabank Saddledome (Calgary, Alberta)
  • How to watch: ESPN+
  • Favorite: Oilers (-150 via Betway)

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