Calgary Flames vs. Minnesota Wild Prediction, NHL Odds
The Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild meet as part of a massive 15-game slate in the NHL. This is their third and final meeting of the season, and both teams have one regulation win apiece. These teams may be at different ends of the NHL standings, but I expect this matchup to bring fireworks.
Flames vs. Wild NHL Betting Odds
Minnesota comes into this one as a heavy favourite, as they are -220 on the moneyline, where they have gone 30-24 this season. As for Calgary, they are 21-31 on the money line and are listed as +180 underdogs for this matchup.
When it comes to the puck line, the Wild are 28-26. Being the favorites, the Wild are listed at +125 to win by at least two goals. Meanwhile, the Flames are 29-22 against the puck line, and have odds of -150 to at least keep the game within a goal. The game total is set at 5.5 goals, with -130 for the over and +110 for the under. Both teams have been in many high-scoring games this season, as Minnesota is 31-22-1 to the over, while Calgary is 26-23-3.
Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov (+100) and Matthew Boldy (+155) come into this game with the shortest odds in the matchup to score. The two Flames players with the shortest goal-scoring odds are Nazem Kadri (+220) and Matt Coronato (+300). Leaning on one of the NHL’s best players in Kaprizov, who also has three goals in his last three games, could be a good look against a far weaker opponent.
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames (21-25-6) have committed to selling their assets, and they sit seventh in the Pacific Division and third-last in the Western Conference. As if playing the Wild wasn’t a tricky enough task, Calgary has been miserable on the road this season with an 8-16-2 record. Young stud Zayne Parekh and veteran Blake Coleman both remain out due to injury, which will not help the chances of an upset.
A young infusion is incoming to Calgary, but that makes it difficult to compete with contending teams in the league. The last time they beat a strong was when they took down the Edmonton Oilers well over a month ago. They have lost four-straight games ahead of this contest.
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild (30-14-10) are chugging along and are currently in second place in the Central Division. However, first place seems out of reach for now, and their second-place positioning has almost no cushion, as the Dallas Stars are right behind them with one game in hand. These are two important points.
The team has a hindered blueline, missing veterans Jonas Brodin and Zach Bogosian. However, newly-acquired superstar Quinn Hughes, along with young stud Brock Faber and captain Jared Spurgeon, headline an elite group.
Minnesota has gone back and forth in wins and losses for their last four games, but consistency is key for a team trying to finish near the top of the league. The Wild have won 15 of 28 at home.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Flames vs. Wild?
The Wild have exponentially more to play for at this point of the season, especially in a very competitive Central Division. Calgary’s second-worst offence (2.50 goals per game) is in for a long night. Look for the Minnesota Wild to defend home ice and secure a 3-0 victory.
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