Calgary Flames vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
The North Division seems pretty set as far as playoff teams, but one potential change in the standings could be Calgary and Montreal. The Habs currently hold the last playoff spot in the division, but there’s only three points separating them from the Flames. Montreal lacked a must-win attitude in a 4-1 home loss to Calgary on Wednesday, but they’ll get a second chance on Friday in the second half of their two-game set against the Flames.
Montreal is a -141 favourite to win on the NHL odds with a total of 5.5.
Flames vs. Canadiens Betting Analysis
There must be a few nervous Canadiens fans for this game. Calgary, the only team with a legitimate shot at passing Montreal in the standings, has won four of five meetings between the teams this season and outscored the Habs by a combined 13-7 over those games.
It’s no secret this hasn’t been the season the Flames were hoping for, but they might actually be turning things around. They’ve won three straight games and have a great chance to gain even more ground in the standings with games against Ottawa and Vancouver on the horizon. Calgary is 19-24 against the spread and they’ve covered in 10 of 23 road games. The Under has hit in the Flames’ last six road games.
Montreal is not picking the best time to fade. They’re 1-4 straight up in their last five games overall and 2-4 SU in their last six home games. They haven’t paid bettors that well either, going 18-22 ATS. They’ve been an Under team in six of their last nine games overall and five of their last six games against Calgary.
Calgary Flames
Calgary’s win on Wednesday was easily their biggest win of the season. And with five of their final 14 games matching them up against Montreal, there is a real belief the Flames could overtake the Habs for the last playoff spot in the North. Noah Hanifin, Mark Giordano, Josh Leivo and Sean Monahan all picked up goals on Wednesday. Jacob Markstrom made 26 saves for his second straight win. After trading away David Rittich at the deadline, Markstrom should be in line for almost every start down the final stretch of the season. Markstrom is 15-14-2 with a 2.81 goals-against average and .903 save percentage, as well as a .957 SV over his last three games. Neither of the other two goalies on Calgary’s NHL roster right now, Artyom Zagidulin and Louis Domingue, have started a game this season.
Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens need to figure things out quickly. Their comfortable lead over Calgary is gone and with five games still left to play against the Flames this year, this season series could make or break Montreal’s shot at a playoff spot. They didn’t look good in Wednesday’s 4-1 loss, although one positive in the game was Brett Kulak’s second period tally. It was the defenceman’s first goal in two years, breaking a 96-game drought. Jake Allen stopped 30 shots in his fifth straight start. It’s not yet clear who will start on Friday, but it’s probably more likely Allen will get the nod again. Carey Price has been sidelined with a lower-body injury, and there’s no word on how severe it is.
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