Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Calgary Flames Prediction, NHL Odds
The Flames are coming off a narrow 5-4 loss to the visiting Washington Capitals, and have not fallen to defeat in two of their past three home contests. The Lightning surrendered a season-high seven goals in Tuesday’s 7-4 loss in Winnipeg, which also put the brakes on Tampa’s four-game road win streak.
After opening as -117 favourites, the Lightning made early gains, but have since dipped to a -107 bet. Backed by 60% of sports bettors, the Flames have improved to slim -113 chalk. The total has climbed to 6.0 after opening at 5.5, with the OVER garnering 89% of the betting action.
Lightning vs. Flames NHL Betting Odds
Thursday night’s matchup at Scotiabank Saddledome marks the second and final regular season meeting between these clubs, and the Lightning’s first visit to Calgary since December 2018. The Lightning skated to a 4-1 win when these teams met at Amalie Arena on January 6, extending the Bolts’ win streak over Calgary to five games. Tampa shooters have consistently filled the net in recent dates with the Flames, averaging 5.20 goals per game during their current 5-0-0 run. The Lightning have tallied a pair of victories in Calgary during their head-to-head win streak, and have also topped the Flames in eight of 10 regular season meetings in Cowtown since January 2003. Recent dates in Calgary have been high scoring affairs, with total goals scored over their past three averaging 9.66.
The OVER has also paid out six times while the Lightning have won seven of their past nine contests. But while Tampa Bay has fueled that run by averaging over four goals per game during that stretch, the club has also surrendered a worrisome four goals per game while losing two of four. The Flames are currently enduring similar woes. Calgary outscored opponents by a wide 42-15 margin during a recent 9-0-0 run, but has allowed five or more goals on three occasions over their past seven. Despite those concerns, the Flames have picked up at least a point in 17 of 20 contests.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The top line of Brayden Point, Nikita Kucherov, and Ondrej Palat has musters just one goal and six total points over the past four games. However, the Lightning rearguard corps has filled the scoring void. Victor Hedman has contributed three goals and six points over the past three games, including the game winner in Sunday’s 6-3 victory in Chicago. Mikhail Sergachev has established a point per game pace over his past eight outings, while Ryan McDonagh has picked up points in his past two outings, and averaged three shots on goal over his past four appearances.
Calgary Flames
Flames fans held their breath after Johnny Gaudreau was involved in a knee-on-knee collision with Washington bad boy Tom Wilson in Tuesday’s loss to the Capitals. However, Gaudreau reportedly avoided serious injury, and is expected to be in the lineup on Thursday. Gaudreau has scored three times and added seven assists during a six-game points streak, and leads the club with 74 points.
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