The Edmonton Oilers came up on the short end of a barnburner against the Calgary Flames in Game 1 and will be looking for a reversal of fortune in Game 2 at Scotiabank Saddledome Friday night.
Over bettors rejoiced as the Flames opened up the Battle of Alberta with a 9-6 triumph on Wednesday evening. Is more of the same in-store for Game 2? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Oilers vs Flames on Friday, May 20.
Oilers vs Flames Game 2 odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Flames opened as consensus -171 moneyline favorites for Game 2, a slightly higher number than Game 1 following that victory. Bettors have knocked that line down a few cents at the majority of sportsbooks as of this writing.
The total was unveiled at 6.5 and has remained steady, with a slight additional vig on most sites on the Over.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Oilers vs Flames Game 2 predictions
Predictions made on 5/19/2022 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Oilers vs Flames Game 2 info
• Location: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
• Date: Friday, May 20, 2022
• Puck drop: 10:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN, Sportsnet
Oilers vs Flames series odds
Oilers: +290
Flames: -380
Oilers vs Flames Game 2 betting preview
Key injuries
Oilers: Kyle Turris C (Out).
Flames: Christopher Tanev D (Questionable).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Oilers vs Flames head-to-head record
Oilers: 5-5 SU, 36 goals for.
Flames: 5-5 SU, 40 goals for.
Betting trend to know
The Oilers are 7-1 in their last eight games when their opponent allows five or more goals in their previous game. Find more NHL betting trends for Oilers vs. Flames.
Oilers vs Flames Game 2 picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
A bounceback effort from Mike Smith combined with reliable production from Connor McDavid & Co. should get the Oilers back into this semifinal series with the Flames on Friday night.
The 40-year-old Smith played to a 2.29 GAA and a .923 SV% in seven games against the Los Angeles Kings before his Game 1 fiasco against the Flames. He was pulled just over six minutes into the contest after allowing three goals on 10 shots, but his replacement – Mikko Koskinen – was far from inspiring in relief, coughing up five goals on 37 shots.
Smith should have a much better outing in Game 2, as Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft can make some defensive adjustments that might help Smith avoid getting ambushed again for two goals in 51 seconds.
Blueliner Cody Ceci – who played to an uncharacteristic minus-3 rating in Game 1 after recording a +8 rating in the quarterfinals – should lead the turnaround effort.
Edmonton’s offense was far from overwhelmed in their 9-6 defeat on Wednesday, with McDavid leading the charge with a goal and three assists. His partner in crime, Leon Draisaitl, added a goal and two helpers of his own in that tilt.
Several trends favor the Oilers in this spot, as they’re 8-2 in their last 10 games after scoring five or more goals in their previous affair, and 35-16 in their last 51 games after allowing five or more goals in their previous tilt.
Calgary is 2-7 in its last nine games after scoring five or more goals in their previous game. Back Edmonton to bounce back and knot this series up.
Prediction: Oilers moneyline (+155 at BetRivers)
Over/Under analysis
Bettors shouldn’t expect another 15-goal outburst between these two teams, but the dynamic offenses of the Oilers and Flames should combine to help the Over cash once more.
Edmonton packs plenty of firepower, but Calgary is far from overmatched. Matthew Tkachuk had a hat-trick in the Game 1 victory, with Johnny Gaudreau tallying three assists. Rasmus Andersson and Andrew Mangiapane each had a goal and two assists on Wednesday as well. This is a club that ranked sixth in goals per game in the regular season.
The Oilers were right behind the Flames in seventh before the playoffs began, and showed they weren’t intimidated by goaltender Jacob Markstrom as they tallied six markers on Wednesday night. Markstrom played to a 3.54 GAA and a .884 SV% in four previous meetings with Edmonton.
These forwards know how to stay hot, as the Over is 8-3 in the Oilers’ last 11 games after scoring five or more goals in their previous game, and 13-6-2 in the Flames’ last 21 games after scoring five or more goals in their previous game. It’s also worth noting that the Over is 14-6-1 in the last 21 meetings between these two teams in Calgary.
Prediction: Over 6.5 (-115 at PointsBet)
Best bet
If the Oilers want to avoid falling into a 2-0 series hole, they’ll need more than just McDavid and Draisaitl to show up in Game 2. Fortunately for this team, Kailer Yamamoto, Zach Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins all played well in the loss on Wednesday, suggesting that Edmonton won’t go quietly in this series.
All three forwards had a pair of points in Game 1, with Hyman notching two goals. Evander Kane was held in check in Game 1, but based on the way he played against the Kings in the quarterfinals (seven goals, two assists), that will be hard to replicate.
Smith and the Edmonton defense need not play perfectly, but an average performance (3.1 goals allowed per game, 18th in the NHL) should be enough to help underdog players cash.
Pick: Oilers moneyline (+155 at BetRivers)
