In this article we will formulate a Flames vs Wild prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, December 4th 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 9-15-4 this season after they lost to Nashville by a score of 5-1 in their last game. Calgary allowed the first five goals in the game, but did score late in the third to avoid the shutout. The Flames recorded 28 shots on goal, won 58.9% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Calgary got their only goal from Frost, while Cooley stopped 12 out of 16 shots and Wolf stopped 11 out of 12.
Prior to that game, Calgary lost to the Hurricanes by a score of 1-0, but did beat the Panthers by a score of 5-3 before that. The Flames have lost three of their last four games and they are currently last in the Pacific standings with 22 points. Calgary has scored 2.29 goals per game and they have allowed 3.04 goals against per game, while also going 14.0% on the power play and 82.4% on the penalty kill this season. Nazem Kadri has led Calgary with five goals and 17 assists, while Rasmus Andersson has added five goals and 13 assists. The projected starting goalie for Calgary is Dustin Wolf, who is 6-12-2 with a 3.16 goals against average and an .891 save percentage this season.
Minnesota Wild Betting Preview
The Minnesota Wild are 15-7-5 this year after they defeated Edmonton by a score of 1-0 in their last game. Minnesota scored the only goal of the game in the first period and locked down defensively for the shutout win. The Wild were out shot by a total of 33-24, won 38.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Minnesota got their lone goal from Brodin, while Wallstedt stopped all 33 shots in the shutout victory.
Prior to that game, Minnesota lost to the Sabres by a score of 3-2, but did beat the Avalanche by a score of 3-2 before that. The Wild have won eight of their last nine games and they are currently third in the Central standings with 35 points. Minnesota has scored 2.78 goals per game and they have allowed 2.63 goals against per game, while also going 23.7% on the power play and 80.0% on the penalty kill this season. Kirill Kaprizov has led Minnesota with 17 goals and 14 assists, while Matt Boldy has added 15 goals and 14 assists. The projected starting goalie for Minnesota is Filip Gustavsson, who is 7-7-3 with a 2.74 goals against average and a .906 save percentage this year.
Why the Calgary Flames will win
- The underdogs have won seven of the Wild’s last eight games.
- The Wild have lost two of their last three games as road favorites following a road win.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Wild’s last eight games.
- The Wild have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games as favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Flames have won the second period in each of their last six night games at Scotiabank Saddledome following a road loss.
Why the Minnesota Wild will win
- The Wild have won each of their last six games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Flames have lost 11 of their last 12 games against Central Division opponents.
- The Wild have covered the puck line in 11 of their last 13 games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Wild have won the third period in each of their last six games as road favorites when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Eight of the Wild’s last nine games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Ten of the Flames’ last 12 home night games following a road loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Flames’ last 16 home games against Central Division opponents.
- The ‘Under 0.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Wild’s last four games as favorites against Western Conference opponents.
Calgary Flames Player Prop Facts
- Matthew Coronato has scored a goal in four of the Flames’ last five games against Central Division opponents.
- Nazem Kadri has recorded at least one point in each of the Flames’ last four games against Western Conference opponents.
- Nazem Kadri has recorded at least one assist in each of the Flames’ last four games against Western Conference opponents.
Minnesota Wild Player Prop Facts
- Matthew Boldy has scored a goal in each of the Wild’s last five games as favorites.
- Vladimir Tarasenko has recorded at least one point in each of his last nine appearances with his team as a road favorite against Pacific Division opponents.
- Vladimir Tarasenko has recorded at least one assist in each of his last nine appearances with his team as a road favorite against Pacific Division opponents.
Flames vs Wild Prediction
Minnesota comes into this matchup as one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now and they have allowed two regulation goals or fewer in four of their last five games. The Wild are 7-4-1 on the road this year, while the Flames are 4-4-2 at home. Calgary has lost three of their last four games and they have scored one goal or fewer in those three losses. We have one of the best defensive teams in the NHL facing one of the lowest scoring teams in the league, so I don’t think we are going to see too much scoring here. Take the under in this one.