Calgary Flames vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction 12-31-24 NHL Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Calgary Flames vs Vancouver Canucks prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 31st at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Calgary Flames Betting Preview

The Calgary Flames are 17-12-7 this year after they lost to Vegas by a score of 3-0 in their last game. Calgary wasn’t able to find any offense and they allowed one goal in the second and two in the third for the shutout loss. The Flames were out shot by a total of 37-31, won 50.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Calgary was led by Coleman, who had six shots on goal, while Vladar stopped 34 out of 36 shots in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Flames defeated San Jose by a score of 3-1 and the Blackhawks by a score of 6-4. Calgary has lost three of their last five games and they are in the middle of the Pacific standings with 41 points. Calgary has scored 2.64 goals per game and they have allowed 3.03 goals per game, while also going 21% on the power play and 72.2% on the penalty kill this season. Jonathan Huberdeau has led Calgary with 15 goals, 12 assists, and 64 shots on goal, while Nazem Kadri has added 13 goals, 12 assists, and 122 shots on goal this year. Dustin Wolf is 11-5-2 with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage this year. 

Vancouver Canucks Betting Preview

The Vancouver Canucks are 17-10-8 this season after they lost to Seattle in overtime by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Vancouver led 4-1 late in the third period, but they allowed Seattle to force overtime and ended up with the loss. The Canucks were out shot by a total of 29-22, won 53.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Vancouver got goals from Boeser (2), DeBrusk, and Garland, while Demko stopped 24 out of 29 shots in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Canucks defeated San Jose by a score of 4-3 but did lose to Ottawa, Vegas, and Utah before that. Vancouver has lost seven of their last ten games and they are also in the middle of the Pacific standings with 42 points. Vancouver has scored 3.17 goals per game and they have allowed 3.17 goals against per game, while also going 23% on the power play and 81.3% on the penalty kill this season. Quinn Hughes has led Vancouver with eight goals, 34 assists, and 109 shots on goal, while Elias Pettersson has added 10 goals, 18 assists, and 67 shots on goal this year. Thatcher Demko is 2-1-3 with a 3.43 goals against average and an .879 save percentage this year. 

Why the Flames will beat the Canucks

• The Flames have won each of their last six home games following a road loss.
• The Canucks have lost four of their last five games.
• The Flames have covered the puck line in each of their last four night games at Scotiabank Saddledome following a road loss.
• The Canucks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games.
• The Flames have won the second period in eight of their last nine home games against Western Conference opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Flames’ last eight games against Pacific Division opponents has gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Four of the Canucks’ last five night games at Scotiabank Saddledome have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Three of the last four night games between two teams from the Pacific Division have gone UNDER the total goal line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Flames’ last eight games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canucks’ last six road games against Pacific Division opponents.

Calgary Flames Player Prop Facts

• Andrei Kuzmenko has scored at least one goal in seven of his last eight appearances with his team as a favorite against Pacific Division opponents.
• Connor Zary has recorded an assist in each of the Flames’ last four games as home favorites against Western Conference opponents.
• Andrei Kuzmenko has recorded at least one point in each of his last eight appearances with his team as a favorite against Pacific Division opponents.

Vancouver Canucks Player Prop Facts

• Elias Pettersson has recorded at least one point in each of the Canucks’ last nine games against the Flames.
• Quinn Hughes has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
• Elias Pettersson has scored a goal in each of the Canucks’ last five games as underdogs against the Flames.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Calgary Flames rank 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (72.22%).
• The Calgary Flames rank 27th in the league for goals per game this season (2.64).
• The Vancouver Canucks are one of only two teams to lose a game when leading by 3 or more goals after Period 1 this season.
• The Vancouver Canucks rank 29th in the league for shots per game this season (25.8).

Calgary Flames vs Vancouver Canucks Prediction 

Calgary has struggled over the last two weeks, but they have bounced back by winning two of their last three games. The Flames are 12-4-3 at home this year, while the Canucks are 10-3-2 on the road. Vancouver has also been pretty bad recently and they had an epic collapse in their last game. 

Both of these teams come into this matchup desperately needing a win, but I don’t think I can back the Canucks after how they finished their last game. Vancouver has been very good on the road, but Calgary has been just as good on home ice. The Flames are only scoring 2.64 goals per game this season, which is a concern, but I think Vancouver could really struggle to bounce back here. Take the Flames at home.