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The Calgary Flames head to Rogers Place to face the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, with a 9:00 PM start on ESPN+. Calgary is 15-17-4 and sitting 12th in the Western Conference, while Edmonton comes in 18-13-6 and sixth in the conference in what should be a playoff-style Pacific Division matchup before the holiday break.
This is also the front half of a home-and-home that resumes Saturday in Calgary, so the urgency is real on both sides. The Oilers are priced as the clear favorite at -184, but Calgary’s recent surge and the 6.5 total set up a betting decision that comes down to pace, special teams, and whether this game turns into a track meet or a tighter rivalry script.
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Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers Odds
These are the current betting lines for this matchup, but numbers can move quickly, so bettors should always monitor updated NHL odds leading into puck drop. You can track price movement and market updates with the latest NHL odds.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Flames | +152 | +1.5 (-165) | 6.5 (Over -105, Under -119) |
| Edmonton Oilers | -184 | -1.5 (+134) | 6.5 (Over -105, Under -119) |
Calgary Flames Betting Form
Calgary’s offense has finally shown some punch, and it starts with Mikael Backlund driving results at the top of the lineup. The Flames have won back-to-back and three of four, and their best stretch of hockey has come when they play faster through the neutral zone and actually get to the net with purpose. When Calgary is generating volume, they are live to stay inside the number, which is why the +1.5 has appeal even if you do not love the moneyline at this price.
The betting angle with Calgary is how sustainable the finishing is. Their recent Over run is real, but it has been fueled by high-end conversion and opportunistic scoring. If that cools off, Calgary has to win by defending, limiting power-play chances, and leaning on goaltending. Goalie confirmation matters here, especially with this total sitting at 6.5 and Edmonton’s top-end ability to create quick strikes. Availability matters too, so monitor the Calgary Flames injury report before puck drop.
| Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Bean (D) | Out | Undisclosed |
| Samuel Honzek (LW) | Out | Upper Body |
| Zayne Parekh (D) | Out | Not Injury Related |
| Martin Pospisil (C) | Out | Undisclosed |
Edmonton Oilers Betting Form
Edmonton’s form is strong, and the ceiling is still higher than almost anyone when Connor McDavid is rolling. The Oilers are 7-2-1 in their last 10 and just edged Vegas 4-3 at home, with McDavid and the power play doing what they do. That matters for this handicap because Calgary’s most realistic path is a disciplined, five-on-five game. If Edmonton gets multiple clean looks on the man advantage, the Oilers can separate fast, which makes the -1.5 puck line (+134) more than just a lottery ticket.
The other key variable is who starts in net and how Edmonton manages the crease heading into the break. Connor Ingram’s debut adds uncertainty for bettors, and uncertainty usually matters most for totals and puck lines. If you are betting this game, you want to know if Edmonton is in a position to play a stable, low-mistake game, or if this turns into a higher-event matchup with more rebound chances and odd-man looks. Keep tracking availability, so check the Edmonton Oilers injury report before lines lock.
| Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Connor Clattenburg (C) | Out | Eye |
| Tristan Jarry (G) | Out | Lower Body |
| Kasperi Kapanen (RW) | Out | Undisclosed |
| Noah Philp (C) | Out | Upper Body |
| Jake Walman (D) | Out | Lower Body |
Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers Matchup Breakdown
This rivalry usually comes down to whether Calgary can keep its structure when Edmonton turns up the speed. Calgary’s current edge is that its top line has been producing and the supporting cast is contributing enough to avoid being a one-line team. Edmonton’s edge is still the same as always, elite creation and a power play that can swing the game in a two-minute window.
If Calgary wants to cash, the script is pretty specific. They need a clean first period, fewer penalties, and a game that stays mostly five-on-five where they can grind shifts and avoid extended defensive-zone time. Edmonton wants the opposite, push tempo early, draw calls, and force Calgary into chase mode where spacing opens up.
Key matchup edges worth pricing in:
- Edmonton’s special teams advantage and ability to create separation quickly
- Calgary’s recent finishing surge versus Edmonton’s ability to drive pace at home
- Goaltending confirmation and whether either team is in a rest or rotation spot before the break
- The total at 6.5, which leaves less margin for an Under if this gets loose early
If you want a sharper process for weighing price, game script, and derivatives like puck lines and totals, the NHL betting guide is a strong baseline. For bettors thinking beyond one night and tying form into futures angles, the Stanley Cup betting guide is useful context.
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Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers Predictions and Best Bets
Edmonton is the side lean, but the moneyline at -184 is not cheap for a rivalry game, especially with Calgary coming in with momentum and a clear uptick in finishing. The better way to approach Edmonton is deciding whether you think this is a one-goal grind or a game where the Oilers can create separation with their special teams and top-end offense. If you expect Edmonton to start fast and control the first 10 minutes, the puck line at +134 becomes the value play.
For Calgary, the bet is more about the number than the outright win. +1.5 at -165 is expensive, but it fits the most likely Calgary cover path, which is a tighter five-on-five game where they can trade goals and keep it within one. If Calgary takes penalties or the game opens up, that ticket gets uncomfortable quickly.
The total is where the market is asking the biggest question. Calgary has been trending Over recently, but 6.5 is a high bar in a rivalry spot, and Edmonton has shown it can win games without a pure track meet when it gets a lead. If goalie confirmation points toward stability, the Under has a real case, especially if Calgary’s plan is to slow the game down and protect the middle.
Best Bet: Under 6.5 (-119).
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