The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Calgary Flames meet in NHL action from the Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday night. Who comes out on top in this inter-conference showdown? Let’s dive in and find out with our Blue Jackets vs. Flames Prediction.
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets come into this one looking to bounce back from back-to-back losses after a 4-1 loss to Edmonton last time out. Johnny Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets with 29 points including 22 assists while Zach Werenski has 25 points with a team-high 24 assists. Kirill Marchenko has 24 points with a team-high 14 goals and Adam Fantilli has 25 points with 11 goals and 14 assists. Ivan Provorov has 23 points with 19 assists and Boone Jenner has 18 points with 13 goals of his own. Elvis Merzlikins has gone 8-10-6 in goal for Columbus with a 3.29 GAA and a .903 save percentage while Spencer Martin is 3-8-1 with a 3.65 GAA and an .887 save percentage this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts
- The Blue Jackets have lost seven of their last eight night games.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four night games.
- The favorites have won the first period in six of the Blue Jackets’ last seven games at Scotiabank Saddledome.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four games following a road loss.
Calgary Flames Team Preview
The Calgary Flames come into this one looking to snap a three-game losing skid after a 4-3 loss to St. Louis last time out. Blake Coleman leads Calgary in scoring with 39 points including a team-high 20 goals while Nazem Kadri has 38 points with 22 assists this season. Yegor Sharangovich has 34 points with 20 goals and 14 assists while Elias Lindholm has 31 points with a team-high 23 assists this season. Jacob Markstrom has gone 13-12-2 with a 2.64 GAA and a .910 save percentage while Dan Vladar is 7-7-2 with a 3.27 GAA and an .888 save percentage this season. Dustin Wolf has also gone 1-2-1 with a 3.46 GAA and an .893 save percentage as well this season. The Flames will take on the Blackhawks and Bruins after this one.
Calgary Flames Team Facts
- The Flames have lost six of their last seven games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Flames have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 10 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Flames’ last nine night games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Flames have won the third period in each of their last four games as home favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
Blue Jackets vs. Flames Prediction
I’m leaning towards the over here. I don’t trust either one of these teams right now especially on the defensive end with Calgary allowing 11 goals during this three-game slide while Columbus has allowed 4 goals or more in each of their last 6 defeats. I think we could head for more goals here either way, rout or not. Give me the over.