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Between the Lines: NHL Betting Picks & Projections | October 8, 2025

  • Writer: Jason Moser
    Jason Moser
  • Oct 8
  • 4 min read

As the back-to-back runners-up, the 2025-2026 version of the Edmonton Oilers begins its quest for the franchise's elusive sixth Stanley Cup tonight. Today's four-game slate features game one of the season for Connor McDavid and company in the Battle of Alberta. The PuckLuck model has identified today's best betting pick from this matchup, with a double-digit betting edge.

Calgary Flames vs Edmonton Oilers NHL opening night betting matchup

Today's Action | October 8, 2025: - 7:00 PM: MTL @ TOR - Rivalry night as the Maple Leafs' post-Marner era begins - 7:30 PM: BOS @ WSH - Ovechkin looks to pad his all-time goal record this season - 10:00 PM: CGY @ EDM - The Flames look for a big upset in the Battle of Alberta - 10:00 PM: LAK @ VGK - Eichel signs new deal and Marner looks to shine in Vegas Key Factors:

  • Calder-favorite Ivan Demidov is a wildcard for the Canadiens

  • Can Ryan Leonard be impactful in the top six?

  • Flames without Jonathan Huberdeau; Oilers without Zach Hyman

  • The Kings are coming off a loss at home last night


Game of the Night: Flames @ Oilers Edmonton's top talent is obvious, with McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard all returning. It's the rounding out of the Oilers' roster that raises questions. Rookies Matthew Savoie and Isaac Howard will be relied on heavily in the early-going of the season. The direct replacement for the injured Hyman appears to be Czech winger David Tomasek, who scored 24 goals and 57 points in 47 games last season in the top Swedish league. He will get first run on Edmonton's top power play unit. Calgary returns the majority of last season's roster, with 19-year-old rookie Matvei Grindin playing in place of the injured Huberdeau. If goaltender Dustin Wolf can repeat his stellar performance from last season, the regimented Flames should slow down plenty of opponents this season - including the high-flying Oilers. PuckLuck projection: EDM (3.15 goals) over CGY (3.04 goals) The books list this game at 6.5 goals, likely due to the quick-strike offense that the Oilers threaten with. The model lists this slightly lower, at 3.19 goals - making the under a good lean. There is a much better value on another bet from this game, however, as shown in the graphic below. Want access to all of our edges and real-time updates? Subscribe to PuckLuck+


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