To quote John Davidson, back when he was a hockey broadcaster: “Ohh baby.” For the second round of the Western Conference playoffs, we have a Battle of Alberta series between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames. 

It’s been quite a while since this heated rivalry had a playoff series, but fate has seen to it that we get one here and it should all be must-see-TV. The fan bases of each team do not like each other. Nor do the teams, based on some recent, fight-filled contests. The only thing missing is the full launch of sports betting in Alberta, which hopefully is not too far away after the recent rollout of Ontario sports betting.

So who has the edge? Let’s take a closer look at the  NHL odds with some observations and, ultimately, a series prediction to bet on at online betting sites.

Oilers vs Flames Odds

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Oilers vs Flames Betting Tips

Well, this series features Connor McDavid, who had 14 points in a seven-game series against the Kings, Leon Draisaitl, Evander Kane, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. So, yeah, the over should prevail in at least a couple of games at least.

But be careful on the over too; Flames coach Darry Sutter is a great defensive coach. He’s come up with some great schemes in the past to slow opposing top guys down, and no doubt he’ll relish a chance to stop McDavid and Dreisaitl. 

Still, I expect a fair amount of goals in the series. McDavid is just too tough to stop consistently. 

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I would take the prop bet of both teams scoring in the first period of Game 1. Usually, referees like to make an early stamp on a series, so there should be a couple of power plays in the first period of Game 1. 

I’d also keep pounding Evander Kane goal props. He had seven goals in the seven games against the Kings. 

I like Gaudreau to have another strong series for the Flames. He will be coming in on a high from scoring that overtime game-winner in Game 7, one that almost blew the roof off the Saddledome.

Keep an eye out for Tyson Barrie point totals for prop bets too. The Edmonton defenseman always seems to pile up a good number of assists. I like the series to be tied 2-2 after four games, so if there’s a prop for that, grab it.

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Oilers vs Flames Series Prediction

Edmonton got away with its questionable defense and goaltending in the first round, against a Kings team that really only had one reliable line. It’s not going to be nearly as easy to keep the Flames off the scoreboard.

Mike Smith, a former Flame, is one of the most competitive goalies in the league. Yet, I just don’t have a lot of faith in him for this series. Calgary has the edge in net, with Jacob Markstrom. I like Calgary’s bigger, tougher defense too. Edmonton doesn’t have the same size or muscle as Calgary on the back end.

The only way the Oilers win this series is if McDavid and Dreisaitl go nuclear - and that’s certainly possible. Overall, I just like Calgary’s depth more than Edmonton’s. Gaudreau is a superstar, and Tkachuk is not only a superb player but a clutch player. He will no doubt get into it physically against the Oilers, as he’s also one of the best agitators in the league.

It should be a great, loud and emotional series. The Battle of Alberta is a real-deal feud. I like the Flames in the end. For your NHL picks, take the Flames in six games at +425 with DraftKings.

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