by OddsShark (@OddsShark) – Sponsored Post
The Calgary Flames will be looking to benefit from this week’s unplanned break in their schedule when they return to action in Edmonton on Friday night as +120 road underdogs on the NHL odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Losers in each of their past three road contests, the Flames saw Wednesday’s scheduled visit to Vancouver postponed over fears of a COVID-19 outbreak within the Canucks organization. Now idle since Monday’s crushing 5-1 loss to Winnipeg, the team will be returning from their longest layoff since January when they hit the ice for Friday night’s matchup at Rogers Place.
Flames vs Oilers | OddsShark Matchup Report
The Flames can use all the help they can get as they enter the final six weeks of the regular season, as their current swoon could not have come at a worse time. Provided with a golden opportunity to gain ground on fourth-place Montreal while the Canadiens endured four game postponements, Calgary fell short. Overall, the team has lost five of its last six outings, and enters the weekend six points behind Montreal for the final playoff spot in the North Division.
The team also has nowhere to go but up when playing away from the comfortable confines of Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames’ current 0-3-0 run leaves them with just five wins over their past 16 road dates, and Calgary has also managed to string together consecutive wins just once in 20 road contests this season.
However, the Flames have been steady this season when well rested, posting wins in three straight games played on at least two days rest, and outscoring opponents by a wide 12-6 margin in those contests. Considering the team’s continued offensive struggles, they will be hoping that trend continues on Friday. Calgary has been limited to one or fewer goals in four of its past six outings, and has mustered just a single goal in nine of its last 20 road dates.
Calgary shooters have been limited to two or fewer goals on three occasions while losing four of six overall to the Oilers this season, including a pair of losses in Edmonton in which they were outscored by a 10-4 margin. The upside for Calgary is their recent steady defensive play, with opponents scoring more than three goals just once over their past six outings, spawning a 4-1-1 run for the UNDER at online sports betting sites.
While the Flames fight for their playoff lives, the Oilers aim for a seventh straight home win while set as -140 chalk. Edmonton dropped two of three on its recent eastern road trip, but has outgunned opponents by a 25-10 margin during its current 6-0-0 run at home.
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