The Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames meet Saturday in NHL action at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Here’s a Flames vs Canadiens Prediction. This article will include a Flames vs Canadiens Pick.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens beat the Sabres, lost to the Oilers, and they play the Canucks, Kraken, and Panthers next. The Habs have split their last 12 games.
The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 2.97 goals per game and are scoring 21.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Cole Caufield leads Montreal with 31 goals, Nick Suzuki has 46 assists and Brendan Gallagher has 114 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 3.31 goals per game and are killing 82.1 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Cayden Primeau has given up 41 goals on 250 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 127 goals on 1,264 shots.
Calgary Flames Betting Preview
The Calgary Flames beat the Flyers, lost to the Stars, and they play the Canucks, Avs, and Maple Leafs next. The Flames have lost eight of their last 12 games.
The Calgary Flames are averaging 2.58 goals per game and are scoring 21.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Jonathan Huberdeau leads Calgary with 22 goals, MacKenzie Weegar has 28 assists and Nazem Kadri has 210 shots on goal. Defensively, the Calgary Flames are allowing 2.92 goals per game and are killing 74.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Dustin Wolf has allowed 96 goals on 1,102 shots faced, and Dan Vladar has given up 75 goals on 704 shots.
Why the Calgary Flames will win
- The Flames have won each of their last four games after coming off overtime.
- The Canadiens have lost three of their last four road games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The home team has covered the puck line in each of the last four games between the Canadiens and Flames.
- The Canadiens have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Flames have won the third period in each of their last six games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents when leading after the second period.
Why the Montreal Canadiens will win
- The Canadiens have won nine of their last 12 games as road underdogs.
- The Flames have lost each of their last four games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Canadiens’ last six games.
- The Flames have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five games at Scotiabank Saddledome.
- The Canadiens have won the third period in each of their last four games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents when leading after the second period.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Calgary Flames rank 32nd in the league for goals per game this season (2.58).
- The Calgary Flames rank 26th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (74.59%).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 5th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (82.09%).
- The Montreal Canadiens rank 26th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.31).
Flames vs Canadiens Injury Report
The Flames will be without Anthony Mantha and Justin Kirkland.
The Canadiens will be without Kaiden Guhle and Kirby Dach, while Michael Pezzetta and Patrik Laine are questionable.
Flames vs Canadiens Prediction
The Flames are getting the benefit of the doubt at home, where 17 of their 29 wins have come, but I’m not buying it. The Canadiens are playing the better hockey at the moment, with wins in five of their last six games and an offense that’s in a groove. The Flames have lost seven of their last 10 games, and their offense has been held to two or fewer goals in four of their last five games. You can do a lot worse than taking a shot in the dark with the Habs and the more favorable price on Saturday night.