Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
- The NHL features a loaded 12-game slate on Saturday, March 6th
- The Flames take on the Oilers in their first game since firing head coach Geoff Ward
- See odds for all 12 games along with our best bets in the story below
The Battle of Alberta is part of a packed 12-game NHL slate on Saturday, March 6th that offers some great betting value. Matthew Tkachuk and the Flames are listed as +115 underdogs against the Oilers in what will be their first game since firing head coach Geoff Ward,
Elsewhere around the league, the Maple Leafs are heavy favorites over the Canucks as they look to avenge a 3-1 loss from Thursday night.
We layout the odds are all 12 Saturday NHL games and provide our best bets below.
NHL Odds March 6th
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Sabres | +170 | +1.5 (-159) | O 5 (-143) |
| New York Islanders | -200 | -1.5 (+133) | U 5 (+118) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Philadelphia Flyers | -108 | +1.5 (-286) | O 6 (-117) |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | -108 | -1.5 (+235) | U 6 (-105) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| New York Rangers | -118 | -1.5 (+220) | O 5.5 (-120) |
| New Jersey Devils | +102 | +1.5 (-275) | U 5.5 (-103) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Florida Panthers | -134 | -1.5 (+190) | O 5.5 (-106) |
| Nashville Predators | +116 | +1.5 (-230) | U 5.5 (-114) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | -190 | -1.5 (+132) | O 6.5 (-104) |
| Vancouver Canucks | +163 | +1.5 (-157) | U 6.5 (-118) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Winnipeg Jets | +120 | +1.5 (-225) | O 6 (+102) |
| Montreal Canadiens | -139 | -1.5 (+185) | U 6 (-125) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Minnesota Wild | -139 | -1.5 (+188) | O 5.5 (+110) |
| Arizona Coyotes | +120 | +1.5 (-230) | U 5.5 (-134) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Anaheim Ducks | +205 | +1.5 (-121) | O 5.5 (-110) |
| Colorado Avalanche | -245 | -1.5 (+100) | U 5.5 (-110) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +115 | +1.5 (-240) | O 5..5 (+115) |
| Dallas Stars | -134 | -1.5 (+195) | U 5.5 (-139) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| St. Louis Blues | -122 | +1.5 (+210) | O 5.5 (+104) |
| Los Angeles Kings | +105 | -1.5 (-265) | U 5.5 (-125) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Calgary Flames | +115 | +1.5 (-235) | O 6.5 (-107) |
| Edmonton Oilers | -132 | -1.5 (+190) | U 6.5 (-114) |
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Vegas Golden Knights | -210 | -1.5 (+120) | O 6 (-125) |
| San Jose Sharks | +180 | +1.5 (-143) | U 6 (+102) |
Odds taken Mar. 5th from DraftKings
Battle of Alberta Will Be Goal Fest
The Flames will be taking to the ice for the first time since firing head coach Geoff Ward when they face the Oilers in the Battle of Alberta Saturday. Calgary parted ways with Ward and re-hired Darryl Sutter as his replacement after an 11-11-1 start to the season that currently has them sitting fifth in the North Division.
While Sutter has to quarantine and won’t be behind the bench until Thursday against Montreal, a coaching change always serves as a wake-up call to a team. The Flames are actually coming off an impressive 7-3 win over Ottawa and should be able to keep that momentum going against a slumping Oilers team that got swept and outscored 13-1 by Toronto during a three-game set.
YOU CAN PUT IT IN THE WIN COLUMN! pic.twitter.com/wDC25kTc7Z
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 5, 2021
One of the reasons to expect plenty of goals in this one is because Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are due for a big outing. Edmonton’s mini-series vs. Toronto marked just the third time in Mcdavid’s career that the Oilers’ captain has been held pointless in three consecutive games. He’ll be determined Saturday and will benefit from a potentially rusty Jacob Markstrom making his return from injury.
Both the Oilers and Flames rank in the bottom-10 of the NHL when it comes to high-danger chances allowed. With the Flames’ coaching change and the Oilers’ recent slump, there should be plenty of offensive fireworks in this one. The last Battle of Alberta featured 10 total goals scored, and you can expect more of the same Saturday.
Pick: Over 6.5 (-107)
2021 NHL Divisional Odds Tracker
Leafs Bounce Back Big Against Canucks
The Maple Leafs will look to bounce back from a 3-1 loss against the Canucks when the two teams rematch at Rogers Arena on Saturday. The Leafs were playing on the second half of a back-to-back against Vancouver and were clearly tired after finishing a three-game set vs Edmonton. It didn’t help that Thatcher Demko was on top of his game and made 31 saves.
The Leafs are going to be well-rested and should be much better in the rematch. They’ve had Vancouver’s number in recent years, winning seven of the last nine meetings and cashing the puckline in each of their five last victories. Auston Matthews has 10 goals in 12 career games against the Canucks and should be a difference maker Saturday after having a few great chances thwarted by Demko on Thursday.
Rematch Saturday.#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/rdbBHiRHZO
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 5, 2021
The Maple Leafs have lost back-to-back games on only one occasion this entire season. They should rebound Saturday, especially considering Vancouver star Elias Pettersson is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
The Leafs have the second best power play in the NHL and are facing the NHL team that takes the most penalties. The Leafs were stifled on two man opportunities Thursday, so expect that to change and be the difference against an average Canucks penalty kill Saturday.
Pick: Maple Leafs -1.5 (+132)
Brady is a passionate hockey fan and sports writer with over five years experience specializing in digital media, plus a degree in Broadcast Journalism. His work has been published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.