Washington Capitals vs. Calgary Flames Prediction, NHL Odds

Nik Kowalski | Updated Jan 28, 2025

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Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals make their final regular season visit to Alberta on Tuesday for a bout with the Calgary Flames.

Washington
43-15-5-3
AT
January 28, 2025, 9:00 PM ET
Scotiabank Saddledome
Calgary
30-23-9-2
Puckline -1.5 +170
Moneyline -145
Over / Under o +5.5
Matchup Odds
Puckline +1.5 -210
Moneyline +120
Over / Under u +5.5
Matchup Odds

Both Washington and Calgary have surprised many this season, as both currently sit in playoff spots — and Washington first in the NHL. This makes another couple visits to Alberta come June a possibility, whether it be Calgary or Edmonton. 

The pressure is on the Flames to keep pace though as Vancouver is now a single point behind Calgary for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Washington’s comfortably atop the Metropolitan Division as they stick to their formula: low-scoring games with Ovechkin sprinkling in goals as he chases Wayne Gretzky’s record.

Puck drops at the Scotiabank Saddledome at 9 p.m. EST with the Capitals coming as a -145 road favourite and the total at 5.5 on the NHL odds.

Capitals vs. Flames NHL Betting Odds

The under has hit in nine straight Capitals games. Typically, these 2-1 types of games have gone in Washington’s favour this season but on Saturday they were on the wrong side of a 2-1 game, snapping a six-game win streak. Washington’s 2.43 goals against per game ranks first in the NHL. Scoring has been an issue for Calgary —they rank fifth-last in the NHL with 2.69 goals per contest. 

Contradictory to these trends, five straight Capitals–Flames meetings in Calgary have finished over the total. Washington is also 8-1-1 in their last 10 meetings with Calgary. And for all those Ovechkin goal-chase-watchers, the Great 8 has 17 goals in 25 career games against Calgary.

Washington Capitals

After not finding the scoresheet Saturday at Vancouver, Alexander Ovechkin remains 20 goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 goals. The Caps outshot Vancouver 33-25 in the loss, and Ovechkin had a game-high seven shots on goal. Charlie Lindgren got his second straight start in net and was sensational, including a diving save after sprawling back from the bench to his crease late in the game.

Despite this, the future in net for Washington will be Logan Thompson. In his first year with the Capitals, Thompson signed a six-year, $35.1 million extension on Monday. In 27 games this season, Thompson is 22-2-3 with a .925 save percentage and a 2.09 goals against average. Expect the newly-signed tendy to be in the crease on Tuesday.

Calgary Flames

Tuesday marks the beginning of a pivotal stretch for Calgary – a make-or-break point in their season. Seven of the next eight Flames games are at home, a place they’ve been dominant this year. Calgary is 15-6-3 at home this season, and below .500 on the road. A large reason why has been the play of rookie goalie Dustin Wolf. 

Now +1000 to win the Calder Trophy (third-best odds), Wolf is 18-7-2 on the season with a .916 save percentage. Wolf picked up a win on Saturday before Dan Vladar let in five goals on 27 shots in a 5-2 loss at Winnipeg on Sunday. Calgary only mustered up 22 shots themselves in the loss, so they be better be chalking up that performance to exhaustion. Against a stout defensive team like Washington, the Flames will need all the offensive chances they can get. 

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Capitals vs. Flames?

NHL Predictions
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  • WAS
  • -145 +120
  • CAL
Matchup NHL Odds