Battle of Alberta Highlights This Week’s NHL Betting Options

The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames have advanced to the NHL’s Western Conference semifinal round. 

For the first time in 31 years, these two teams from the same province are squaring off in playoff action. 

The Battle of Alberta will begin when the puck drops for the first game on Wednesday.

Canadian sports wagerers have a lot to be thankful for. Even though one Canadian team will be eliminated, at least one will get to a conference final this postseason.

Toronto Falls In Seven-Game Series

Sadly for Toronto, the season ended with another first-round departure. This time, it was at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

For all the ups and downs of a seven-game series, Toronto showed mettle and resolve. The team did not capsize like in last year’s series against the Montreal Canadiens. 

Toronto just could not win in Game 7 this year. 

What is odd is that this postseason loss (five straight Game 7 defeats) feels different. Toronto ran into the heart of a champion and came up short. The reality is the Maple Leafs are close, but yet so far away. 

Toronto needs to just play. That is the lesson. When they learn that, maybe the Leafs will advance past the first round.

Edmonton Moves On To Next Round

The Edmonton Oilers made their lives difficult in the series against the Los Angeles Kings. 

In the end, Connor McDavid shined for one moment that cemented the series for Edmonton and advanced the team to Round 2 of the NHL playoffs.

After Game 5 against Los Angeles, the Oilers were underdogs, and rightfully so. But Edmonton found a way to win in Southern California on Thursday, and then delivered with a home win in Game 7 on Saturday. 

In the seven-game series, the Oilers’ Connor McDavid had four goals and 10 assists. The best player on the planet was the best player on the planet.

The Oilers’ Mike Smith was very good in goal when he had to be. That is what Edmonton needs more than anything. In Game 7 on Saturday, he made all 29 saves in the 2-0 victory, posting another shutout. 

The Oilers battled against a tough goaltender in the Kings’ Jonathan Quick and found a way to advance. 

Survive and move on they did. Now comes the hard part.

Calgary Defeats Dallas To Advance

This first round probably deserved to end the way it did. Given how pesky of an opponent the Dallas Stars were, the Calgary Flames made things an adventure. 

Credit Calgary for finding a way to advance in seven games. They ran into a brick wall who was Jake Oettinger. The Flames peppered the Dallas goaltender with 272 shots. It was the final one from Johnny Gaudreau that ended the series during overtime in Game 7 on Sunday.

However, what looms may be the most difficult battle for bettors to comprehend. 

In the upcoming Battle Of Alberta, four of the NHL’s top eight scorers are featured, and a spot in the Western Conference Final is at stake.

As series betting opens, Calgary is an early 1.50 favourite over Edmonton. 

Wednesday night cannot come soon enough.