NHL Matchup - December 5, 2007

Sidney Crosby begins his first foray through western Canada as the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Edmonton Oilers in a clash between two teams that have been rolling in recent games.

Pittsburgh will be looking for its fifth win in six games, while Edmonton will be aiming for its fourth straight victory.

Edmonton has won the past two meetings, but Pittsburgh has the advantage head-to-head over the past 10 games, winning five, losing three and tying two (the two ties were before shootouts were introduced.). The teams last met on Jan. 10, 2006, when Edmonton beat the Penguins 3-1 in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins (12-12-2), who also visit Calgary and Vancouver before traveling back east, picked up a 3-1 home victory against the Phoenix Coyotes in their last game on Monday. Edmonton (13-14-1) beat the Anaheim Ducks twice by a combined 9-1 score in its past two games Sunday and Friday, and edged the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 in a shootout last Monday.

Pittsburgh does not do well against Northwest division teams, going 3-14 in their past 17 games.

Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to start in goal for Pittsburgh, while Edmonton will go with Dwayne Roloson.

As of Wednesday afternoon, sportsbooks were reporting nearly 58 per cent of wagers are on a Pittsburgh win.

Betting Line: Pittsburgh is a 120-moneyline favorite at Sportbet. The over/under is 5½.

The Philadelphia Flyers will be making their first visit to Minnesota in nearly five years when they battle the Wild Wednesday night.

This is the Flyers’ first visit to Minnesota since Feb, 12, 2003, when the Wild earned a 2-0 shutout. Overall, the teams haven’t met since Dec. 10, 2005, when the Flyers got past the Wild 3-2 at home. Philadelphia has the edge head-to-head, going 4-2 in the past six games against Minnesota.

There was conflicting information regarding the Flyers’ goaltending situation Wednesday, as some sources had back-up Antero Niittymaki getting the call, while others named starter Martin Biron. The Wild will likely go with Niklas Backstrom.

The Flyers (14-9-1-1) haven’t played since Saturday, when they lost 4-1 to the Dallas Stars at home. The Wild (15-9-0-2) edged Northwest division rival Vancouver Canucks 2-1 at home on Sunday.

The past four meetings have gone Over, and the Over is 6-2 in Philadelphia’s past eight overall.

Sportsbooks are reporting 57 per cent of bets are on a Minnesota win.

Betting Line: Minnesota is a 155-moneyline favorite at BetUS. The over/under is 5½.