Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks Prediction, NHL Odds
Calgary drew first blood with a 3-1 win in the first of a monster four game set between these teams on Thursday. Only three points separate the Flames and Canucks in the standings, but Calgary has four games in hand, so this is a crucial series for Vancouver if they want to stay within striking distance of the playoffs.
The Flames are -140 favourites to win on the NHL odds with a total of 6.0.
Flames vs. Canucks Betting Analysis
Calgary has been the better team in every aspect this year and it shows. The Flames have won all three previous meetings this season and four straight, dating back to last year.
This series will give the Flames a chance to boost their road game stats, which have been average to this point. Calgary is 3-3-1 outside of the Saddledome and have only covered the spread in two of those seven games. The Flames are 7-6 against the spread overall and have been an Under team in four of their last five games.
Nothing has gone right for Vancouver this season, but they have slightly better numbers at home. The Canucks have picked up four of their six wins at Rogers Arena. Vancouver is 6-11 ATS overall, covering four times at home.
Calgary Flames
After seven seasons in Vancouver, Jacob Markstrom came up huge for Calgary on the other side of the Rogers Arena ice. Markstrom made 33 saves in the Flames’ 3-1 win for his seventh win of the season. Having the best season of his career, Markstrom has been a huge pickup for Calgary. In 11 games, Markstrom has posted a 2.36 goals against average and .921 save percentage. Both numbers are top-10 among goalies who have played at least six games.
Mark Giordano, Andrew Mangiapane and Johhny Gaudreau had the goals for Calgary on Thursday. Gaudreau has had a hot start for the Flames (no pun intended) and leads the team in goals (8) and is tied for the lead in points (14) with Elias Lindholm. Calgary has now won three straight games and only trail the Jets by two points for the last playoff position in the North Division.
Vancouver Canucks
It’s been an absolute nightmare season for Vancouver. The Canucks have dropped six straight games and a sweep by Calgary in this four game series could make it nearly impossible for Vancouver to climb back into the playoff race. Brock Boeser picked up the Canucks’ lone goal on Thursday. Boeser leads the team with 10 goals (16 points), while Quinn Hughes leads the team with 17 points (1G, 16A).
There were some positives to take from the loss, however. Vancouver actually outshot the Canucks 34-26. They were also perfect on the P.K., killing off four penalties. Thatcher Demko had 23 saves for his sixth loss of the year. Demko and Braden Holtby have split the season (Demko with nine starts, Holby with eight), so Holtby should get the nod on Saturday. Both goalies have nearly identical stats, this season. Demko has a 3.74 GAA (Holtby 3.75 GAA) and .896 SV (Holtby .885).
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