The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Calgary Flames meet in NHL action from the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday. Can Tampa Bay keep their winning ways going? Or will the Flames burn the Bolts? Let’s dive in and give out a Lightning vs. Flames Prediction.
Tampa Bay Lightning Team Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning come into this one looking to build on a 7-4 win over Edmonton last time out. Nikita Kucherov leads the Lightning in scoring with 50 points including a team-high 20 goals and 30 assists while Brayden Point has 13 goals and 20 assists for his 33 points. Victor Hedman’s added 27 points with 22 assists while Steven Stamkos has 30 points with 16 assists and 14 goals and Brandon Hagel has 27 points split between 10 goals and 17 assists. Jonas Johansson has gone 8-6-5 with a 3.47 GAA and an .891 save percentage while Andrei Vasilevskiy is 5-4 with a 2.89 GAA and a .902 save percentage this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning Team Facts
- The Lightning have lost each of their last six night games following a road win.
- The home team has covered the puck line in six of the Lightning’s last seven games.
- The Lightning have lost the second period in each of their last eight night games following a road win.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last six games against Pacific Division opponents.
Calgary Flames Team Preview
The Calgary Flames come into this one looking to snap a four-game losing streak after a 3-2 shootout loss to Minnesota last time out. Nazem Kadri leads the Flames with 22 points including 8 goals and a team-high 14 assists while Elias Lindholm has 19 points and Blake Coleman has 20 points with Coleman logging 9 goals. Mackenzie Weegar has 18 points with 7 goals and 11 assists while Yegor Sharangovich has 18 points with 10 goals and 8 assists this season. Jacob Markstrom has gone 6-8-2 with a 2.94 GAA and a .896 save percentage while Dan Vladar is 4-4-2 with a 3.54 GAA and an .879 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.
Calgary Flames Team Facts
- The home team has won each of the last six games between the Lightning and Flames.
- The Flames have failed to cover the puck line in 14 of their last 16 home games after coming off a shootout.
- The home team has won the third period in each of the last four games between the Lightning and Flames.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Flames’ last eight games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Calgary Flames ranks 28th in the league in power play percentage this season (12.09%).
- The Calgary Flames ranks 26th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.43).
- The Tampa Bay Lightning ranks 3rd in the league in power play percentage this season (29.41%).
- The Tampa Bay Lightning ranks T29th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.55).
Lightning vs. Flames Prediction
I’m on the Lightning here. I’m back off of the Calgary Flames until they show me that they can get back on track once again. The Tampa Bay Lightning have been up and down all year long, but they’re up right now and are still playing the better hockey when you compare them side-by-side with the Calgary Flames. Until the Flames show me something, I have to keep going to the other side, especially at prices like this.
