Hurricanes vs. Flames Prediction: NHL Betting Odds
-
Jeremy Perry
The Calgary Flames have climbed to the top of the Western Conference standings with a hot streak where they’ve cashed in seven of eight. The Flames will look to stay hot when they host the Carolina Hurricanes in their final game before the All-Star break. The Hurricanes had been on a roll themselves but have since dropped two of their last three games. With the teams going in opposite directions recently, the Flames find themselves as a sizable favorite in this spot.
Hurricanes vs Flames Betting Analysis
The Hurricanes won seven of eight prior to their 1-2-0 run over their last three games but have still won seven of 10 overall. They are 8-10 against teams with a winning record and 8-9 in road games where the total is six or more.
Calgary is an incredible 16-4-3 record on home ice so far this season. They are 14-9 when at home with a total of six or greater and the over is 18-4 in those contests. The Flames are also 17-9 versus teams with a losing record.
Carolina Hurricanes
After being held to just three goals in back-to-back losses to the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators, Carolina exploded for seven goals in Sunday’s win over Edmonton. The Hurricanes consistently put a ton of shots on goal (they lead the league with 35.8 per game), but it’s whether or not they are able to put the puck in the back of the net that will determine how many games they win down the stretch. Sebastian Aho has paced Carolina with 21 goals and 54 points this season. Meanwhile, Teuvo Teravainen and Justin Williams in particular have picked up the pace of late. However, the Hurricanes could be without Michael Ferland on Tuesday night after he missed the game versus the Oilers with an upper body injury. Carolina isn’t particularly deep offensively, so the club will definitely lean on their top guns against Calgary.
At the back end, Petr Mrazek should be back between the pipes for the Hurricanes on Tuesday night. Mrazek has posted a pedestrian 3.14 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage over the past two weeks. However, with Curtis McElhinney sidelined the Hurricanes don’t have another option for Tuesday night’s game.
Calgary Flames
The Flames have had no problem at all putting pucks in the back of the net. Calgary ranks second in the NHL with an average of 3.74 goals against average this season. They’ve been even better of late as they’re averaging a league-leading 4.60 goal per game in January.
With the top line of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm leading the way, it will be interesting to see how many they get past Mrazek on Tuesday night. He’s given up three or more goals in four of his last six starts.
In addition to the top line clicking, the Flames are also getting strong contributions from their second line and their defencemen. Calgary has a ton of firepower and as long as they continue to get good goaltending, they should contend for first place in the Western Conference. David Rittich is 18-4-4 with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage so far this season. Oddly enough, he’s posted a 3.34 GAA and .880 save percentage at home compared to a 1.79 GAA and .944 save percentage on the road.
