Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Calgary Flames Prediction, NHL Odds

Jeremy Perry | Updated Dec 11, 2019

Auston Matthews, Leafs, 2018

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Both the Leafs and Flames have since moved on from their head coaches and both teams are now playing some of their best hockey of the season.

Toronto
36-25-4-5
AT
December 12, 2019, 9:00 PM ET
Scotiabank Saddledome
Calgary
36-27-6-1
Puckline -1.5 +185
Moneyline -140
Over / Under o +6

53%

Betting Action

47%

Matchup NHL Odds
Puckline +1.5 -222
Moneyline +115
Over / Under u +6

53%

Betting Action

47%

Matchup NHL Odds

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames have somewhat mirrored each other this season. Both teams finished high in the standings last season but slumped to start their 2019-20 campaign. Both have since moved on from their head coaches and both teams are now playing some of their best hockey of the season. Which streaking team will have the upper hand on Thursday?

Maple Leafs vs. Flames Betting Analysis

Toronto has been one of the least profitable teams this season as they’ve cost bettors 6.2 units so far. That includes their recent run over their last nine games where they’ve gained +1.7 units. They’ve been profitable on the road of late, though, cashing in five of their last seven games.

The Flames were also among the league’s most costly teams but they’ve picked up 6.35 units over the last couple of weeks, even cashing as dogs in their last two games. With their offense clicking, over has been a good bet as each of their last four games have gone over the number.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs have been a completely different team since firing head coach Mike Babcock. Although it’s hard to believe that he’s at fault, for whatever reason, his departure has given the team a spark. They had lost six in a row and were just 9-10-4 when they fired him. Since the firing, they’ve won six of their last nine games. Their offense has come to life as they’re averaging a healthy 3.4 goals per game in that span. That’s nearly a half-goal better than their overall November average at 3.07. They’ve also been better at the other end of the ice too as they’re allowing just 2.56 goals per game over their last nine; they haven’t been under 3.00 goals per game allowed in any full month this season.

If they continue to play like this, they’ll make Thursday’s game very competitive.

Calgary Flames

The Flames finished with the most points in the Western Conference last season but looked like a completely different team to start the year. Head coach Bill Peters was forced to resign due to some off-ice issues from his past and the team has used that change as a big catalyst. The Flames started the year with just 10 wins in their first 25 games. However, they’ve won seven of their last eight with the lone loss coming in overtime at Pittsburgh. That’s quite the turnaround.

Calgary’s offense has been electric of late. Before this hot stretch, they had lost six in a row and scored just five goals in those games. They have 29 goals in the eight games since, which is incredible. Sean Monahan has woken up as the guy who had just six goals through October and November has scored four goals in his last four games. He had just 10 points in all of November; he has five points through the first four games of December. Johnny Gaudreau has also played well with three points in his last four games, Derek Ryan is on a four-game point streak and Milan Lucic has scored three times in his last four games; he had no goals in his first 27 games this season.

Forget what happens at the other end of the ice. If the Flames offense is going to light it up like this, they’re going to continue to look like last year’s unit, which finished with more points and goals than any other squad in the West.

Who Will Win Maple Leafs vs. Flames?

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NHL Predictions
  • TOR
  • -140 +115
  • CAL
Matchup NHL Odds