Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers Picks and Predictions November 3rd 2024

The Oilers and Flames are set to face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Flames will host the game at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. The Oilers are favored by -1.5 in this Pacific division showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 6.5 goals.

Edmonton vs. Calgary Key Information

• Teams: Oilers at Flames
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary
• Date: Sunday, November 3rd
• Betting Odds EDM -152 | CGY +128 O/U 6.5

The Oilers Can Win If…

With a 5-1 win over the Predators, the Oilers moved to 5-5-1 on the season. Edmonton, as the underdog on the puck line, not only won but covered the puck line. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 6 goals fell just short of that mark.

Four different players scored for Edmonton, with Draisaitl leading the way with two goals. The Oilers scored first, with Viktor Arvidsson finding the net just 37 seconds into the game. The Predators tied it up at 1-1, but Edmonton responded with four unanswered goals.

Leon Draisaitl led the way for the Oilers in their 5-1 win over the Predators, scoring his 7th and 8th goals of the season. Zach Hyman added his first goal of the year, while Viktor Arvidsson opened the scoring for Edmonton. The Oilers registered 29 shots on goal and picked up 9 giveaways.

Edmonton scored twice in the first period, added a third goal in the second, and finished with two more in the third. The Oilers had 8 assists in the game, with Mattias Ekholm earning his 7th assist of the season.

After allowing the game-tying goal at 5:05 in the first period, the Oilers’ defense shut down the Predators, not giving up another goal. Calvin Pickard made 26 saves with a 96.3% save percentage. Defensively, Edmonton finished with 7 takeaways and 20 hits.

• The Oilers have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. This includes going 1-2 vs. the puck line and posting an over-under mark of 1-2.
• The Oilers have gone 5-5 over their last ten regular season games. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 3-7, in addition to an over-under mark of 3-7.

The Flames Can Win If…

Calgary improved to 6-4-1 with a 3-0 win over the Devils. The game was scoreless until the third period, when the Flames found the net three times. Calgary covered the puck line as underdogs, and the total of 3 goals fell short of the 6.5 line.

Blake Coleman scored twice, including an empty-net goal, while Jonathan Huberdeau added the other. The Flames’ defense held New Jersey to just 22 shots on goal.

Calgary fired 32 shots on goal but didn’t score until the 3rd period, when Blake Coleman netted his 2nd and 3rd goals of the season, including an empty-netter. Jonathan Huberdeau added his 5th goal this year.

The Flames had 14 giveaways and collected 4 assists in the game. Dan Vladar even picked up his first assist of the season on Huberdeau’s goal.

On the defensive side, the Flames will look to carry their momentum from their previous game, where they shut out the Devils 3-0. Dan Vladar made 22 saves with a 100% save percentage, while the defense contributed 5 takeaways and 30 hits.

• Calgary has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 1-2 to go along with an over-under mark of 0-3.
• The Flames have gone 5-5 over their last ten regular season games. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 5-5, in addition to an over-under mark of 3-6-1.

The Lean

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Flames to defeat the Oilers while playing at home. Given the current moneyline odds at +128, I’m placing a wager on the Flames to win outright.

Our projections have the Flames pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Flames, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6.5 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

The Edmonton Oilers, looking to continue their recent turnaround despite the absence of Connor McDavid, will face off against the Calgary Flames in what promises to be a heated edition of the Battle of Alberta on Sunday. Both teams come into the matchup hoping to build momentum, having secured confidence-boosting victories in their most recent outings.

Oilers Adjust Without McDavid

Edmonton was dealt a significant blow when Connor McDavid, their superstar captain and the engine of their high-powered offense, was sidelined with an ankle injury expected to keep him out for two to three weeks. However, the Oilers showed resilience and adaptability, dominating the Nashville Predators 5-1 on Thursday in their first full game without McDavid. The victory showcased their depth and the ability of other players to step up in his absence.

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch was pleased with the team’s effort and execution: “We don’t want to play without Connor, but everyone was just a bit better. Also, we were able to finish on our opportunities, which is something we haven’t been able to do earlier.” The Oilers had struggled at the start of the season, losing their first three games, including a 4-1 defeat to Calgary on Oct. 13, but have now won three of their last four games, signaling a possible course correction.

Zach Hyman, who has taken on a leadership role, emphasized the team’s collective strength: “We’re not just a one-man team. We have a lot of pieces that can step up. It’s nice to get that win, and before that, we were confident as a group.” Hyman and fellow forwards such as Leon Draisaitl have been key in keeping the Oilers’ offense potent, with Draisaitl in particular maintaining his elite scoring touch.

Flames Seek Consistency After Shaky Start

The Calgary Flames have also faced their share of struggles early in the season but managed to snap a four-game losing streak with an impressive 3-0 shutout win over the New Jersey Devils on Friday. The Flames played a disciplined, structured game, limiting New Jersey’s offensive chances while capitalizing on their own. Blake Coleman led the charge with two goals, and goaltender Dan Vladar was stellar, making 22 saves to earn the shutout.

“We deserved to win, I thought our effort was much better all around,” Coleman said. “We checked tight, didn’t give up a whole lot, and when we did, Vladdy was great. That’s the way we’ve got to play.” The Flames’ focus on defensive responsibility and tight checking paid off, and they’ll need to replicate that formula against Edmonton’s potent attack.

Coach Ryan Huska praised his team’s effort, particularly on the special night honoring captain Mikael Backlund for his 1,000th career game. The Flames were determined to put on a strong performance in front of their home crowd, and Huska noted that the team played closer to the style required for sustained success.

NHL Picks Today

Key Matchups and Players to Watch

Goaltending Duel

Dan Vladar is expected to start again for Calgary, breaking the usual rotation. Vladar’s strong performance against New Jersey has earned him another nod, and he will be crucial in keeping the Oilers’ offense in check. On Edmonton’s side, Stuart Skinner has also shown signs of improvement and will need to maintain his composure against Calgary’s attack.

Oilers’ Secondary Scoring

With McDavid out, Edmonton will continue to rely on other forwards, including Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Zach Hyman, to generate offense. Draisaitl, who leads the team in points, will be a key focal point for Calgary’s defense. How effectively Draisaitl and the supporting cast can fill the offensive void left by McDavid will be a major storyline.

Flames’ Balanced Attack

Calgary’s offense has been inconsistent, but Blake Coleman’s recent surge and contributions from players like Elias Lindholm and Jonathan Huberdeau will be critical. The Flames need to maintain pressure and capitalize on their scoring chances to keep pace with Edmonton. Ensuring they sustain their defensive discipline while creating offensive opportunities will be essential.

Battle of Alberta Intensity

The rivalry between these two teams always brings added intensity, and this matchup will be no different. Calgary will look to defend their home ice and build on their improved play, while Edmonton will aim to prove they can continue winning without their star player. The Oilers’ newfound confidence and Calgary’s quest for consistency set the stage for a thrilling contest.

Both teams understand the significance of the game, not just in terms of points but also for building momentum and establishing early-season confidence. As they clash on Sunday, expect a high-energy, physical battle emblematic of the fierce rivalry between these Alberta clubs.