Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Calgary Flames Prediction, NHL Odds
The Flames return home after going winless on their recent three-game road trip, capped by Thursday’s 3-2 loss in Minnesota, and have now fallen to defeat in four straight contests, and six of seven overall. The Lightning close out a five-game road trip on Saturday aiming to record consecutive wins just twice in 13 games after rolling to a 7-4 victory in Edmonton on Thursday night.
Saturday night’s matchup is pegged as a pick ‘em on the NHL odds, with both these clubs sporting -110 moneyline odds. The Flames also sit as a +200 wager on the NHL puck line, and -120 odds favour the total going OVER 6.5.
Lightning vs. Flames NHL Betting Odds
The Flames have dearly missed Markstrom during their current swoon. Calgary has surrendered 4.14 goals per game during their current swoon. But the team has kept things close while forcing overtime in each of their past two contests, and has seen seven of their past nine games get settled by just a single goal. Losers in three of their past four home dates, the Flames have struggled to generate offence at the SaddleDome, potting just two goals in three of their past six home dates, and now rank 24th overall in the NHL in goals scored per game at home, with just 2.92.
The Lightning have shown signs of turning the corner after entering the month of December on a four-game losing streak. The Bolts have won four of six since, but still have work to do on the road, where they have lost five of seven while scoring just a single goal on five occasions. The Lightning have also seen their historical dominance of the Flames threatened while falling to defeat in their past two visits to Calgary, marking the first time they have suffered two straight losses at the SaddleDome since 2000.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning turned in their best offensive performance of the season in Thursday’s 7-4 victory over the Oilers. Team captain Steven Stamkos provided the scoring punch, potting four goals to halt an eight-game slump during which he scored just once. While Stamkos filled the net, Andrei Vasilevskiy slammed the door on the vaunted Oilers attack, making 53 saves including 18 stops while Lightning shooters sealed the win with five goals in the third period. Nikita Kucherov also contributed a goal and assist to record his fifth multi-point outing in eight games and offers superb value as a -115 bet on the NHL player props to record multiple points against the foundering Flames.
Calgary Flames
Saturday’s expected starting goaltender Dan Vladar has been one of the few bright lights on this squad during their current slide. Vladar turned aside 30 of 32 shots faced in Thursday’s loss and has limited opposing shooters to two or fewer goals in two of his past four starts. However, he has been lit up for seven goals on 57 total shots in two previous appearances against the Lightning. Up front, special teams have played a key role. The Flames scored one power play goal and their third shorthanded goal in five games on Thursday night, but have recorded just 2.14 goals per game at even strength over their past seven clashes. Yegor Sharangovich scored and added an assist on Thursday, and has claimed the team lead in goals scored with 10 while bulging the twine five times during a four-game scoring streak.
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