Two teams trending in opposite directions are set meet Saturday night when the Calgary Flames host the Winnipeg Jets.  The Flames have won four straight games, including taking a 5-2 decision against Chicago on Tuesday, and now sit atop the Western conference standings.  Winnipeg is quickly spiralling out of contention and ended up on the wrong end of a 7-1 blowout loss against Minnesota on Friday night for their fifth consecutive defeat.

Calgary is a -178 favourite to win on the NHL odds, with a total of 5.5.

Jets vs. Flames NHL Betting Odds

Winnipeg and Calgary met nine times last season, with the Jets taking the series 6-3 and outscoring the Flames 9-1 over the last two meetings.  Still, with the way these teams have played early this year, it’s Calgary that is getting backed by 84 per cent of Sports Interaction bettors for this one.  About 95 per cent of action is taking the Over, which is a little surprising given the fact the Over hit in just three of nine games between these teams last season.

The Jets have struggled on the road this year and dropped their last five games outside of Winnipeg.  They’re 10-10 against the spread overall and 3-7 ATS on the road.  The total has gone Under in eight of Winnipeg’s last 10 games.

Despite leading the Western Conference standings, Calgary has been surprisingly subpar at home this year, winning just three of seven games at the Saddledome.  They’re 13-7 ATS overall and 3-4 ATS at home.  The total has gone Under in five of the Flames’ last seven games overall.

Winnipeg Jets

It seems fair to say things have officially gone off the rails following Winnipeg’s blowout loss against Minnesota on Friday.  It was their fifth straight loss and it broke a franchise record of 14 consecutive games of not allowing more than three goals.  Pierre-Luc Dubois‘ 11th goal of the season was the only marker for the Jets on Friday.  Kyle Connor leads the team with 22 points (12G, 10A) in 20 games.  Winnipeg’s offence has completely dried up and has only produced five goals on 184 shots over the last five games.

Connor Hellebuyck was pulled early in the second period on Friday after allowing four goals on 14 shots.  It was the first time in 10 games Hellebuyck allowed more than two goals.  Eric Comrie made 21 saves on 24 shots in relief.  With both goalies playing roughly half of Friday’s game, it’s unclear who will start against Calgary.  Hellebuyck is 6-5-4 this year, with a 2.75 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.  Comrie is 3-2-0 with a 2.49 GAA and .913 SV.

Calgary Flames

Matthew Tkachuk‘s ninth goal of the season was the winner for Calgary on Tuesday as the Flames won their fourth consecutive game.  Dillon Dube and Milan Lucic also scored at even-strength, while Johnny Gaudreau and Trevor Lewis added empty-netters.  Gaudreau leads the team with 23 points (9G, 14 A) in 20 games.  How’s this for a bizarre stat?  Despite sitting tied for third in the NHL in goals with 15, and forcing Hockey Canada to consider him for a roster spot in the Beijing Olympics, Andrew Mangiapane is somehow not averaging a point-per-game.  Mangiapane has 17 points (15G, 2A) in 20 games.  He’s just three goals away from matching his previous season-high of 18, set in 56 games last season.

Jacob Markstrom stopped 19 of 21 shots in Tuesday’s win and should get the start on Saturday.  Markstrom is 8-3-4 on the year, posting a 1.73 GAA (sixth-best in NHL among goalies with three starts) and .940 SV (fifth in NHL).  He’s combined with Dan Vladar to help Calgary pitch shutouts in seven of their 12 wins.  Vladar is having a breakout season since being acquired from Boston in the summer.  He’s 4-0-1 with a 1.57 GAA (third in NHL) and .946 SV (third in NHL).

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Jets vs. Flames?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Jets Team Leaders

WIN

Points	Kyle Connor 93
+ / -	Nikolaj Ehlers 18
Shots	Kyle Connor 317
Penalty Mins	Pierre-Luc Dubois 106
Wins	Connor Hellebuyck 29
GAA	Eric Comrie 2.58

CAL

Points	Johnny Gaudreau 115
+ / -	Johnny Gaudreau 64
Shots	Johnny Gaudreau 262
Penalty Mins	Milan Lucic 84
Wins	Jacob Markstrom 37
GAA	Jacob Markstrom 2.22

WIN

Points
+ / -
Shots	Did not qualify
Penalty Mins
Wins
GAA

CAL

Points	Johnny Gaudreau 14
+ / -	Mikael Backlund 6
Shots	Johnny Gaudreau 52
Penalty Mins	Milan Lucic 31
Wins	Jacob Markstrom 5
GAA	Jacob Markstrom 2.95

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Flames Team Leaders

WIN

Points	Kyle Connor 93
+ / -	Nikolaj Ehlers 18
Shots	Kyle Connor 317
Penalty Mins	Pierre-Luc Dubois 106
Wins	Connor Hellebuyck 29
GAA	Eric Comrie 2.58

CAL

Points	Johnny Gaudreau 115
+ / -	Johnny Gaudreau 64
Shots	Johnny Gaudreau 262
Penalty Mins	Milan Lucic 84
Wins	Jacob Markstrom 37
GAA	Jacob Markstrom 2.22

WIN

Points
+ / -
Shots	Did not qualify
Penalty Mins
Wins
GAA

CAL

Points	Johnny Gaudreau 14
+ / -	Mikael Backlund 6
Shots	Johnny Gaudreau 52
Penalty Mins	Milan Lucic 31
Wins	Jacob Markstrom 5
GAA	Jacob Markstrom 2.95

Injuries

Winnipeg

Nate Schmidt (D)

Ques Wed Undisclosed - 23 / 04 / 22

Zach Sanford (LW)

Ques Wed Undisclosed - 23 / 04 / 22

Connor Hellebuyck (G)

Ques Sun Illness - 19 / 04 / 22

Mark Scheifele (C)

out for season Upper Body - 10 / 04 / 22

Logan Stanley (D)

Ques Sat Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 22

Blake Wheeler (RW)

Prob Fri Upper Body - 08 / 04 / 22

Jansen Harkins (C)

Prob Fri Concussion - 02 / 04 / 22

Adam Brooks (C)

Ques Fri Undisclosed - 02 / 04 / 22

Nate Schmidt (D)

Out indefinitely Illness - 30 / 03 / 22

Logan Stanley (D)

Prob Wed Undisclosed - 27 / 03 / 22

Calgary

Christopher Tanev (D)

Ques Tues Lower Body - 14 / 05 / 22

Nikita Zadorov (D)

Ques Sun Poss. Suspension - 14 / 05 / 22

Brett Ritchie (RW)

Ques Sun Undisclosed - 11 / 05 / 22

Michael Stone (D)

Ques Wed Undisclosed - 11 / 05 / 22

Trevor Lewis (C)

Out indefinitely Personal - 28 / 04 / 22

Jacob Markstrom (G)

Out Sat Rest - 23 / 04 / 22

Noah Hanifin (D)

Ques Thurs Lower Body - 20 / 04 / 22

Christopher Tanev (D)

Ques Sat Head - 14 / 04 / 22

Nikita Zadorov (D)

Ques Sat Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 22

Erik Gudbranson (D)

Prob Thurs Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 22

Injuries

Winnipeg

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Nate Schmidt (D)	Ques Wed	Undisclosed - 23 / 04 / 22	3-1	0-4	+ -
Schmidt sat out the last game managing an undisclosed injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be available for Wednesday's tilt against the Flyers.
Zach Sanford (LW)	Ques Wed	Undisclosed - 23 / 04 / 22	3-1	0-4	+ -
Sanford sat out the previous contest with an undisclosed injury, and it is unknown if he will partake in Wednesday's game against the Flyers.
Connor Hellebuyck (G)	Ques Sun	Illness - 19 / 04 / 22	3-3	1-5	+ -
Hellebuyck has sat out the last two contests with a non-COVID illness, and it is unclear if he will play against the Avalanche on Sunday.
Mark Scheifele (C)	out for season	Upper Body - 10 / 04 / 22	5-5	3-6-1	+ -
Scheifele is idle due to an upper-body issue, and it is unlikely that he will return to the lineup for the remainder of the 2021-22 season.
Logan Stanley (D)	Ques Sat	Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 22	5-6	3-7-1	+ -
Stanley has sat out the last four games due to a minor aliment, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up against the lightning on Saturday.
Blake Wheeler (RW)	Prob Fri	Upper Body - 08 / 04 / 22	5-6	3-7-1	+ -
Wheeler has sat out the last three contests with an upper-body injury, but it is projected that he will be available for Friday's tilt against the Panthers.
Jansen Harkins (C)	Prob Fri	Concussion - 02 / 04 / 22	5-8	4-8-1	+ -
Harkins has been absent from the last four contests going through the concussion protocol, but it is projected that he will dress for Friday's clash with the Panthers.
Adam Brooks (C)	Ques Fri	Undisclosed - 02 / 04 / 22	5-8	4-8-1	+ -
Brooks has sat out the previous two games with an unknown issue, and it is unclear if he will play against the Avalanche on Friday.
Nate Schmidt (D)	Out indefinitely	Illness - 30 / 03 / 22	5-10	4-10-1	+ -
Schmidt has been assigned to the league's COVID-19 protocol, and it is unknown when he will return to the lineup.
Logan Stanley (D)	Prob Wed	Undisclosed - 27 / 03 / 22	5-11	5-10-1	+ -
Stanley sat out the last game with an unspecified issue, but it is likely that he will be active for Wednesday's clash with the Sabres.

Calgary

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Christopher Tanev (D)	Ques Tues	Lower Body - 14 / 05 / 22	2-5	4-2-1	+ -
Tanev is hampered by a lower-body injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Oilers in Game 4 of the Western Conference second round.
Nikita Zadorov (D)	Ques Sun	Poss. Suspension - 14 / 05 / 22	2-5	4-2-1	+ -
Zadorov is facing a potential suspension for a high hit, and it is unclear if he will be available for Game 7 of the Western Conference first round versus the Stars.
Brett Ritchie (RW)	Ques Sun	Undisclosed - 11 / 05 / 22	3-5	4-3-1	+ -
Ritchie is managing an unknown issue, and it is unclear if he will participate in Game 7 of the Western Conference first round versus the Stars.
Michael Stone (D)	Ques Wed	Undisclosed - 11 / 05 / 22	3-5	4-3-1	+ -
Stone is bothered by an unspecified ailment, and it remains to be seen if he will face the Stars in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
Trevor Lewis (C)	Out indefinitely	Personal - 28 / 04 / 22	4-10	6-7-1	+ -
Lewis is away from the team for the birth of his child, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Jacob Markstrom (G)	Out Sat	Rest - 23 / 04 / 22	6-10	7-7-2	+ -
Markstrom will not be active against the Canucks on Saturday, as he will be given a day of rest.
Noah Hanifin (D)	Ques Thurs	Lower Body - 20 / 04 / 22	6-11	7-8-2	+ -
Hanifin is tending to a lower-body injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Stars on Thursday.
Christopher Tanev (D)	Ques Sat	Head - 14 / 04 / 22	9-12	11-8-2	+ -
Tanev was removed from the last contest due to a head injury, and it is unknown if he will face the Coyotes on Saturday.
Nikita Zadorov (D)	Ques Sat	Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 22	12-12	11-10-3	+ -
Zadorov sat out the last contest with an undefined issue, and it has yet to be established if he will battle Kraken on Saturday.
Erik Gudbranson (D)	Prob Thurs	Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 22	12-12	11-10-3	+ -
Gudbranson has missed the previous three contests due to an unknown issue, but it is projected that he will suit up for Thursday's game against the Golden Knights.