A couple of teams that’ve started the season off strongly, the Nashville Predators and the Calgary Flames collide at the Scotiabank Saddledome for a Western Conference tilt. Sportsnet 360 will air the matchup, which gets going at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, October 19.
Nashville Predators at Calgary Flames Odds
Nashville is 5-1 straight up (SU) and has netted 3.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That SU winning percentage, ranked first in the league so far this season, is an improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2017-18 season (53-29). Three of its contests have gone under the total, while two have gone over and just one has pushed. This 2018-19 Predators team is 2-0 SU on the road.
The Predators have found the net on 15.0 percent of their power play opportunities thus far. That’s a fairly big drop-off from last year, when they were ranked 11th in the NHL by scoring on 21.2 percent of their extra-man chances. Their penalty kill has fallen off noticeably, as they’ve gone from successfully defending 82.2 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked sixth overall last year) to 75.0 percent this year.
The Preds, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game this season. Last year, that figure was the highest mark in the league at 4.5 penalties per game. After serving an average of 10.9 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 9.2 minutes per matchup this season.
Averaging 29.0 saves per game with a .943 save percentage, Pekka Rinne (3-1) has been the primary option in goal for Nashville this year. If Nashville chooses to rest him, however, the team might turn to Juuse Saros (2-0 record, .902 save percentage, 2.50 goals against average).
Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen will both be relied on to facilitate things for the visiting Predators. Forsberg has six points on four goals and two assists this season while Johansen has one goal and five assists to his name through the early stages of the regular season.
On the other side of the ice, Calgary is 4-2 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. Four of its outings have gone over the total, while two have gone under and none have pushed. It’s 2-0 SU at home so far this year.
The Flames have converted on 17.2 percent of their power plays this year after scoring on 16.0 percent (ranked 28th in league) last season. They have killed off a remarkable 83.3 percent of their penalties, compared to 81.9 percent in 2017-18 (when they were ranked seventh overall).
Flames players have been sent to the penalty box 4.2 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 4.4, the second-worst mark in the NHL. After serving an average of 11.2 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays for just 9.2 minutes per matchup this year.
Mike Smith has denied 24.0 shots per game as the top choice in goal for the Flames. Smith has three wins and two losses to his credit and has registered a fairly-weak .889 save percentage and 3.23 goals against average this season.
Johnny Gaudreau (three goals, six assists) and Matthew Tkachuk (two goals, seven assists) will lead the offensive counter for Calgary.
Nashville Predators at Calgary Flames Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes
The total has gone over in three of Calgary’s last five games.
Nashville has managed 28.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Calgary is averaging 33.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
Nashville skaters recorded 21.0 hits per game last season, while the Flames logged 20.0 hits per contest.
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