Philadelphia Flyers vs. Calgary Flames Prediction, NHL Odds
-
Edgar Chaput
The Flames are in desperate need to rekindle their fire for a playoff push whereas the Flyers are looking to recoup after a poor display over the weekend in Vancouver.
Check the NHL odds as they develop.
Flyers vs. Flames NHL Betting Odds
Games between these sides have gone to Calgary most often in recent years. Looking at the previous seven tilts, the Flyers have been burned six times. The most recent encounter was earlier this season in November in Pennsylvania when the Albertan side claimed a convincing 5-2 win. The lone Philly victory during that span was at home. We have to go back to December 2017 to the last time the Flyers got the better of the Flames at the Saddledome.
They’ll need to put a stop to that trend if they want to halt the more pressing and immediate matter of their four-game losing streak. Moreover, John Tortorella’s side has fallen in five of six games, with the only win being a surprising 2-1 vanquishing of the Oilers. Overs and Unders have been streaky as of late. For a while the Under had earned the spoils in five consecutive opportunities, but the Over has won the day three times now.
Darryl Sutter’s troupe has not commenced its post-All-Star break in the most promising shape. Playoff position jostling is very tight in the Western Conference, and Calgary has wasted some opportunities, as evidenced by their 2-4 record since returning to action. The Flames are 4-4 in their previous eight contests against clubs from the Eastern Conference. Today is in fact their third home game in a row against such a side.
Philadelphia Flyers
Saturday didn’t go according to plan for Philadelphia. Virtually everyone who had gone head-to-head with the Canucks in recent weeks had earned themselves plenty of nice-looking stats on the scoresheet. Alas, it would not the case for the Flyers.
The opening period promised a close contest. After the hosts opened the game’s tally about 14 minutes in, Philly responded barely over a minute later thanks to a screened shot by Scott Laughton (13th). Rather than carry that momentum into the middle stanza, the Flyers suffered goals from both Andrei Kuzmenko (24th) and Anthony Beauvillier (13th). Down 3-1, it was time to dig themselves out of a hole. Despite the Canucks’ glaring defensive deficiencies, a single garbage-style goal from Morgan Frost (11th) was all Philadelphia could muster the rest of the way. Two empty net scores for Vancouver made the final look more dramatic than it probably was, but a loss is still a loss, and this one ended 6-2.
Calgary Flames
Saturday’s game versus the visiting New York Rangers typified the sort of campaign Calgary’s had. There were ups, there were downs and the result remained in doubt until the very end.
Judging by the opening 46 seconds, it looked as if the night was going to be a lark for the Flames. Both Andrew Mangiapane (12th) and Nazem Kadri (21st) pounced on glorious opportunities, the second of which was a gift from a goalie gaff. 2-0 for the home side and the Saddledome was rocking, but New York was unphased. As evidenced Saturday night, they’re blessed with an excellent backup goalie in Jaroslav Halak. The quick turnaround from Friday’s game against the Oilers showed insofar as New York looked a little slow, but Halak kept them in the game. It allowed both Vladimir Tarasenko (12th) and Alexis Lafreniere (10th) to net goals and send the contest to overtime. The ever-dreadful overtime powerplay came to Calgary’s rescue and, with control of the play, Mikael Backlund (11th) sniped a screened shot to hand the Flames a much-needed 3-2 win.
