This will be the fifth time the Calgary Flames will clash with the Edmonton Oilers this season, they split them 2-2. These two met up recently on Jan 13, in Edmonton. The Oilers walked away the victors 2-1 with goals from Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky.
Calgary (26-18-5-3) at Edmonton (23-26-2-3)
Puck Drop: Feb 4, 2008 9:00 PM ET
Line: SBG Global
Pick: Edmonton +115
The Edmonton Oilers host the Calgary Flames, at Rexall Place, in a battle of the Albertans. The Flames are listed as -135 moneyline favorites at SBGglobal.com and the Oilers are listed at +115 homedogs. The Calgary Flames have won five of their last ten games and they most recently lost 2-1 to the Dallas Stars, at home. Superstar Jerome Iginla has been struggling lately and has failed to score in his last ten outings.
Getting the start in net tonight for the Flames will be Curtis Joseph, who was signed to a one year contract last month. He has not played NHL caliber hockey since he played 58 games for the Phoenix Coyotes last year. Can you say RUSTY? He was 18-31-2 with a 3.19 GAA and a .893 SVPCT. The Flames offense is averaging 2.9 GAG and their power play is currently ranked 21st in the league. On defense the Flames struggle to stop the puck from going in the net and their penalty kill is struggling big time. The top producer is Jerome Iginla with 65pts, +17 rating and leads with 219 shots on net. The Flames are currently 13-9-0-1 on the road, 10-8-5 over/under away from home, and 21-31 ATS. The Flames are currently sitting in 2nd place in the Northwest Standings. SBGglobal.com has the Over/Under is posted at 5 .
The Edmonton Oilers have suffered back to back loses, losing to the Dallas Stars 4-1 at home. This is the Oilers sixth loss out of their last ten games and they’re falling fast. Their offense is not scoring, averaging a low 2.4 GAG and they can’t even score when they’re on a power play, which is ranked 27th.
The Oilers defense is just as bad. They give up an average 3 GAG and they allow their opponents plenty of shots on net. Goaltender Mathieu Garon is currently 15-12-1 with a 2.51 GAA and a .915 SVPCT. He’s recorded three shut outs on the year so far. On a good note the Oilers are capable of killing penalties, which is why their ranked 5th. The main producer for the Oilers is Shawn Horcoff with 50pts and Dustin Penner is a sniper with a wicked slapshot. The Oilers are currently 12-14-0-1 at home, 10-15-2 over/under at home, and 32-22 ATS. They sit in last place in the Northwest Standings.
Bottom Line: It’s Curtis Joseph’s first game back in the NHL and he’s playing in Edmonton, where the Oilers play their better hockey. Jerome Iginla is struggling to score. Let the underdogs HOWL!
