Oilers vs Flames Odds, Pick & Prediction for 2023 Heritage Classic

• The Oilers and Flames square off in the 2023 NHL Heritage Classic on Sunday
• The latest Battle of Alberta odds favor the Oilers at Commonwealth Stadium
• Read below for Oilers vs Flames Odds, pick and prediction for the Heritage Classic

The Battle of Alberta rivalry is being taken outdoors for the 2023 NHL Heritage Classic on Sunday. The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are set to face off at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, with puck drop slated for 7:00 PM ET.

The Battle of Alberta odds are in favor of the Oilers, who may get superstar Connor McDavid back from injury for Sunday’s outdoor game. The over/under is set at 6.5 for a battle between two struggling rivals.

Let’s get into the Heritage Classic odds and offer our Oilers vs Flames prediction.

Oilers vs Flames Odds

The Edmonton Oilers are -162 favorites in the Heritage Classic odds, meaning they have 62% implied probability.

This game will be televised on TBS in the United States and Sportsnet in Canada.

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Odds as of October 28, 2023, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out our top US betting sites for the Heritage Classic.

Oilers vs Flames History

Since the beginning of 2022 calendar, the Oilers and Flames have played exactly 10 times, with the blue and orange prevailing in six of those victories. Edmonton has had a clear head-to-head edge recently, winning six of the past seven meetings.

The recent Oilers vs Flames history includes the 2022 Battle of Alberta playoff series, which saw Connor McDavid explode for three goals and 12 points in seven games to lead his team past the red and white in Round 2.

While this rivalry series is capable of producing offensive fireworks, it’s important to note that the “under” has cashed in two of the last three meetings. This is relevant with it being an outdoor game as outdoor conditions and unfamiliar environments reduce scoring slightly compared to regular indoor NHL games.

Oilers Betting Analysis

The Oilers have had a rough start to the season, with a 1-5-1 record. Their performance has been hampered by the absence of superstar McDavid due to an upper-body injury. The team’s scoring has been lackluster, averaging just 2.43 points per game, which is near the bottom of the league.

Leon Draisaitl has been a standout player, leading the team in scoring with four goals and seven points in 11 contests. You can always count on Draisaitl and the Oilers power play, which is clicking at 25.9%, good for eighth in the league.

Leon Draisaitl since McDavid got injured:

2 games
— 2 assists
— 2 points
— 5 shots
— 63.98 5v5 xGF% (4th on Edmonton)

He has to start taking over soon. pic.twitter.com/ZehAW3DaFh

— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) October 27, 2023

Defensively, the Oilers have been miserable, allowing a league-worst 4.29 goals against per game. Part of those struggles can be attributed to their brutal penalty kill, which is operating at just 74.1%

The Oilers have two goalies who man their creature in Stuart Skinner and Jack Campell. While neither has been impressive enough to get the team over the hump, Skinner (.864 SV%, 3.63 GAA) is projected to get the call Saturday.

Mcdavid Injury Update

The latest Connor McDavid injury update makes it seem likely that the Oilers’ superstar center will be in the lineup for the team’s outdoor game against the Flames. McDavid practiced with the team Saturday and told the media “I felt really good today in practice. A lot of good signs.”

Connor McDavid joins the panel live from Commonwealth Stadium. 🏟️#HeritageClassic | @EdmontonOilers pic.twitter.com/U0T0ERPNUR

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 29, 2023

We don’t need to tell you how important McDavid playing is for the Oilers’ betting value. Aside from being the undisputed best hockey player in the world and current Hart Trophy favorite, McDavid has torched the Flames in his career with 34 goals and 62 points in 50 games.

Flames Betting Analysis

The Flames have also struggled so far, with an underwhelming 2-5-1 start to the season. They have had difficulty scoring, with their 2.13 goals per game even ranking slightly below the Oilers. Blake Coleman leads the team with two goals, while Mikail Backlund is Calgary’s overall scoring leader (three).

Blake Coleman gets his first of the season to give the Flames the lead once again! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zbldcHF7nd

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 20, 2023

Just like their Sunday night opponent, the Flames haven’t been able to keep the puck out of their net. Calgary is allowing 3.50 goals per contest, which is bottom-five in the NHL. It doesn’t help that one of their best defensemen in Rasmus Andersson is currently suspended.

The Flames will be turning in goal to workhorse Jacob Markstrom, who owns a 1-4-1 record with a .906 save percentage and 2.67 GAA. Markstrom has actually played quite well at times this season, but inconsistency has been the story of his career.

Oilers vs Flames Prediction

In a battle between two struggling Alberta clubs, McDavid’s return could be just the boost the Oilers need to get out of their slump. Edmonton has had Calgary’s number lately, and their lethal power play could be the difference.

The Flames have actually outshot the Oilers by a wide margin in the past three meetings, but the Oilers’ special teams have given them a big edge. Edmonton has scored at least one power-play goal in five straight meetings, while the Calgary PP is 2/13 in that span.

The final reason we’re backing Edmonton is because we don’t trust Jacob Markstrom against this specific Oilers club. Markstrom has struggled with consistency against the high-powered Oilers offense, especially in the 2022 playoff series where he allowed 24 goals in five games for a 5.12 GAA and .852 SV%.

• Pick: Oilers ML (-162)