The Calgary Flames and Pittsburgh Penguins meet Saturday in NHL action at the PPG Paints Arena. Here’s a Penguins vs Flames Prediction. This article will include a Penguins vs Flames Pick.
Calgary Flames Betting Preview
The Calgary Flames lost to the Habs and Bruins, and they play the Blue Jackets next. The Flames have lost 4 straight games.
The Calgary Flames are averaging 2.55 goals per game and are scoring 13.9 percent of their power-play opportunities. Blake Coleman leads Calgary with 13 goals, Nazem Kadri has 24 assists, and Rasmus Andersson has 105 shots on goal. Defensively, the Calgary Flames are allowing 3 goals per game and are killing 81.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Dustin Wolf has allowed 96 goals on 935 shots faced, and Devin Cooley has given up 28 goals on 327 shots.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Devils and Blue Jackets, and they play the Bruins next. The Penguins have won 6 straight games.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.29 goals per game and are scoring 29.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 24 goals, Erik Karlsson has 29 assists, and Bryan Rust has 104 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 3.02 goals per game and are killing 81 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Arturs Silovs has allowed 59 goals on 509 shots faced, while Tristan Jarry has given up 36 goals on 396 shots.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The home team has won each of the last seven games between the Flames and Penguins.
- The Flames have lost each of their last four games.
- The Flames have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last four games against the Flames.
- The Flames have lost the second period in each of their last four games.
Why the Calgary Flames will win
- The Flames have won six of their last seven games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have lost five of their last six games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Flames have covered the puck line in each of their last 11 games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as home favorites following a win.
- The Penguins have lost the second period in each of their last six home games when trailing after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Flames’ last six road games against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Eight of the Penguins’ last nine day games against opponents on a losing streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last seven day games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Flames’ last four road games against opponents on a winning streak.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Sidney Crosby has scored a goal in each of the Penguins’ last four games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- Erik Karlsson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Penguins’ last seven home games.
- Justin Brazeau ranks 1st amongst qualified players for shooting percentage (24.5%) this season.
Calgary Flames Player Prop Facts
- Nazem Kadri has scored a goal in each of the Flames’ last three games against the Penguins.
- Nazem Kadri has recorded at least one assist in each of the Flames’ last three day games.
- Yegor Sharangovich has recorded 11 career blocks against the Penguins – equal-most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 2nd in the league in power play percentage this season (29.82%).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins have suffered the equal-most losses when leading after Period 2 this season (6).
- The Calgary Flames rank 32nd in the league in power play percentage this season (13.87%).
- The Calgary Flames rank T30th in the league for goals per game this season (2.55).
Penguins vs Flames Prediction
The Flames are having the week from hell where they can’t get anything going on either side of the ice. It’s been the complete opposite for the Penguins, who haven’t lost since Christmas. The Flames have also been a mess on the road, where they just haven’t proven they can get the job done. I doubt an early start time changes anything. These are two teams heading in different directions. I’ll take the Penguins and the somewhat reasonable price on Saturday afternoon.