Chicago Blackhawks vs Calgary Flames 1/8/23 NHL Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks meet Sunday in NHL action at the United Center. The Calgary Flames have won 6 of their last 9 games. The Chicago Blackhawks have lost 7 of their last 9 games.

The Calgary Flames are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring on 18.9 percent of their power play opportunities. Tyler Toffoli leads Calgary with 15 goals, Elias Lindholm has 23 assists and Nazem Kadri has 127 shots on goal. Defensively, the Calgary Flames are allowing 2.9 goals per game and are killing 81.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jacob Markstrom has allowed 75 goals on 728 shots faced, and Dan Vladar has given up 36 goals on 380 shots.

The Chicago Blackhawks are averaging 2.2 goals per game and are scoring on 20.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Max Domi leads Chicago with 11 goals, Patrick Kane has 20 assists and Seth Jones has 76 shots on goal. Defensively, the Chicago Blackhawks are allowing 3.8 goals per game and are killing 73.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Petr Mrazek has given up 56 goals on 458 shots faced, and Arvid Soderblom has allowed 48 goals on 453 shots.

The Flames are 8-18 in their last 26 road games and 2-5 in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest. The Blackhawks are 15-38 in their last 53 home games and 13-42 in their last 55 overall. The under is 6-0 in Flames last 6 overall. The under is 5-1 in Blackhawks last 6 overall. The Flames are 6-0 in the last 6 meetings in Chicago and 10-2 in the last 12 meetings. The favorite is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings. The road team is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.

The Calgary Flames have played their best hockey over these last two weeks, and they’re comfortably the better team at both ends of the ice. The Chicago Blackhawks are absolutely dreadful, and playing at home hasn’t helped much. Backing the Blackhawks this season is just a tough sell. I can’t do it. Give me the Flames and the PL for max betting value.