The NHL betting action goes on Wednesday, May 18, with one of the greatest rivalries in sports, as Edmonton and Calgary lock horns in Game 1 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Western Conference Semifinals. Hereof, we have prepared the best Oilers vs. Flames betting pick along with the latest odds update on Bookmaker Sportsbook

The Oilers head to Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary as +135 moneyline underdogs. The Flames are listed as -155 home favorites, while the totals sit at 6.0 goals. 

The Oilers barely outlasted the Kings                          

The Edmonton Oilers were firm favorites in the first-round series against Los Angeles, but they needed seven games to eliminate the resilient Kings. The Oilers were on the brink of elimination following a 5-4 overtime defeat in Game 5 at home. They responded with a 4-2 victory in Game 6 at Los Angeles and blanked the Kings 2-0 in Game 7 on the home ice. 

Mike Smith guarded the cage for Edmonton in the opening round, recording a couple of shutouts in the process. The 40-year-old netminder posted a 2.29 GAA and .938 save percentage. He was 16-9-2 with a 2.81 GAA and .915 SV% in the regular season.

Connor McDavid led the way for the Oilers in the first round. The 25-year-old center accounted for four goals and ten assists while tallying a terrific plus-10 rating. Winger Evander Kane had seven goals and a pair of dishes, and center Leon Draisaitl added five goals and four assists. 

The Flames prevailed over Dallas, won Game 7 in overtime           

The Calgary Flames eliminated the Dallas Stars in seven games in the opening round of the 2022 Stanley Cup. Game 7 at Scotiabank Saddledome was a proper nail-biter, as Calgary rallied from a one-goal deficit twice to beat the Stars 3-2 in overtime. 

The Flames took a thumping 67 shots toward Jake Oettinger in Game 7. Tyler Toffoli and Matthew Tkachuk scored their first goals of the postseason, while Johnny Gaudreau nailed the winning goal in overtime. Gaudreau also recorded an assist, and Jacob Markstrom turned aside 26 of 28 shots. 

Markstrom did an excellent job in the first-round series against the Stars. The 32-year-old goaltender recorded a sparkly 1.53 GAA, .943 save percentage, and one shutout. He went 37-15-9 with a 2.22 GAA and .922 save percentage this past regular season. 

Trends:

Edmonton: 

  • 1-4 in the last five road games against Calgary   

Calgary:

  • 6-1 in the last seven games at home 

Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames Pick 

The Oilers and Flames split their four-game regular-season series. Calgary has won their previous two encounters, defeating Edmonton 3-1 as a -210 home fave and 9-5 as a -150 home fave. The Flames are arguably a better defensive team than the Oilers, so I’m backing the hosts to take the first blood in this series. 

Edmonton owns a few top-notch players, but Calgary possesses greater depth. The Flames look like a well-balanced team. Back in the regular season, they were scoring 3.55 goals per game (6th in the NHL) while yielding only 2.51 in a return (3rd). On the other side, the Oilers ranked eighth in goals scored per game (3.48) and 18th in goals against (3.06). 

Pick: Take Calgary Flames at -155             

The Total:

Three of four regular-season meetings between the Oilers and Flames went over the total, producing seven or more goals. I lean toward the over in this one, but the totals are a tricky wager because of the Flames’ stout defense. 

Calgary has allowed only 14 goals over seven contests against Dallas. On the other side, the Oilers have been pretty unpredictable in the Kings series. They blanked LA twice but also surrendered 17 goals over the other five contests. 

Pick: Go over 6.0 goals at -105