Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Calgary Flames Prediction, NHL Odds
-
Nik Kowalski
The 4-0-1 stretch for Calgary has surprised majority of the hockey world; it’s put Calgary atop the Pacific Division when most hockey experts projected the Flames to mis the playoffs. But that can all change in quickly, something the 3-4-0 Penguins are likely preaching as they yet again trend toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
The Pens’ big issue has been goaltending, and panic is kicking in. Pittsburgh’s 4.43 goals allowed per game is third-worst in the NHL, and that number just got worse after a 6-3 loss at Winnipeg Sunday. The loss kicked off a four-game western Canadian road trip for Pittsburgh which now moves along to Calgary — the home of the NHL’s third-highest scoring team.
Puck drop at Scotiabank Saddledome goes at 9:30 p.m. EDT with the Flames -115 on the moneyline and the total at 6.5 on the NHL odds.
Penguins vs. Flames NHL Betting Odds
All four Penguins road games this season have featured a minimum of six goals combined. Pittsburgh has reached that number themselves twice but are now coming off a road defeat in which they let six opposition shots hit twine. The losing team in all of the last three Flames games has scored a single goal. Calgary collected 4-1 and 3-1 victories last week before falling at Seattle 2-1 in overtime on Saturday. Six of the last eight Penguins–Flames contests have finished under the total.
One other need-to-know tidbit: Pittsburgh’s 5-2 to the first period over this season. And while Sunday’s loss at Winnipeg was the only time a Penguins game has been scoreless after 20 minutes this season, it presented an easy live over bet opportunity as Pittsburgh and Winnipeg exploded for nine goals in the final 40 minutes. So something to be on the lookout for live.
Pittsburgh Penguins
If you’re reading this chronologically, you should remember a note about panic starting to kick in when it comes to the Penguins goaltending. With Tristan Jarry currently serving as a third goalie on Pittsburgh’s roster, AKA a healthy scratch, the team is looking anywhere possible for stable play in net. Rookie Joel Blomqvist replaced Jarry last Wednesday versus Buffalo but then Blomqvist proceeded to let in four goals in his first start of the season Friday. Alex Nedeljkovic was between the pipes in Winnipeg and let in five goals in his first action of the season.
When it comes to positives, 38-year-old Evgeni Malkin is producing like he’s back in his prime. Malkin leads the team with 11 points but has been held off the scoresheet in two straight outings.
Calgary Flames
Outside of a wild 6-5 season-opening victory, Calgary’s trended toward the low-event style of hockey. Look at last Saturday, the Flames last outing, where Seattle defeated Calgary 2-1 in overtime in a game where Seattle had 23 shots and Calgary 22. The Flames are 24th in the NHL with 27.2 shots per game and third with four goals a game. All four of Calgary’s top point-getters are shooting at or above 20 per cent on the season. So it’s time to make a conclusion: either this hot streak will fizzle out, or don’t let facts get in the way of good results.
One feel-good result thus far is Jonathan Huberdeau leading Calgary with six points. Huberdeau’s two past years have been quite disastrous, which makes his performances the type that will decide wins and losses for the Flames.
PIT
CAL