Calgary Flames vs. Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, NHL Odds
The Flames and Blackhawks are two of the most surprising teams in hockey early on this season. For Calgary, the surprise is for all the wrong reasons. For Chicago, the surprise is for all the right reasons.
What would not have been a surprise entering the season was that this matchup would feature a basement dweller and a potential playoff contender. However, the labels of which team is which would have forced many people to be incorrect. Alarms are starting to ring for the Flames. If they want their team to remain intact and salvage any part of this season, every two points counts right now.
The NHL odds board has the Blackhawks set as -118 favourites.
Flames vs. Blackhawks NHL Betting Odds
The moneyline in Flames games has looked a bit off lately, considering they are somewhat comfortably the worst team in hockey this year. They were -160 against a Sharks team that was rolling and at the time were 7-1-1. Sure enough, the line proved correct as the Flames won 2-0.
Calgary was then a narrow underdog against Winnipeg, and is now a slim favourite against what looks to be a much better team in Chicago. Just earlier this month, Chicago beat Calgary 4-0, and the Blackhawks are 7-1 against the spread at home. Additionally, the Flames are 1-9 in their latest 10 road contests; this looks to be a spot of value for Blackhawks bettors.
Calgary Flames
As mentioned, the Flames had a much-needed shutout win over the Sharks last week. They followed that up by dropping their fourth game in five opportunities. With that, the Flames have just three wins in their last 10 games as part of just five wins on the season.
Calgary enters this game 2-8-1 on the road with a -18 goal differential. Road performances have been a main factor in their season woes. This team was one point from making the playoffs last year and didn’t have as much turnover as would warrant this dramatic a fall. If this team has anything to play for, now is the time.
Chicago Blackhawks
It’s a different story in Chicago. The Blackhawks have been dreadful for years, and even entering this season, much of the hockey world saw this year as another rebuilding year. But this team has shattered those low expectations.
The Blackhawks are in a playoff spot approaching the quarter mark of the season while Connor Bedard leads the way with 26 points – fourth best in the NHL. They enter this game winners in four of their last five games, all of which they won impressively. During that stretch, Chicago beat Vancouver, Calgary, Detroit, and Toronto by a combined 17-5 scoreline.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Flames vs. Blackhawks?
The Flames proved oddsmakers correct in their 2-0 win over a Sharks team that was in better form overall. It’s difficult to see a repeat of a situation in which Calgary punches up and beats a team that is clicking the way Chicago has been clicking.
All signs point to the Blackhawks in this one. They are at home, have been better both longer term this season, and have recently bullied teams much stronger than the Flames. As a young team potentially overperforming, they’re just plain having fun and have a great feeling in that locker room. Almost the exact inverse has been the case for the Flames. A 4-1 Chicago victory is as expected an outcome as any.
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