The Xcel Energy Center will be the site for a Western Conference showdown as the Calgary Flames travel to Minnesota to meet the Wild. It’s the third and final time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. The match will get going at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 9 and it can be viewed live on Sportsnet West.
Calgary Flames at Minnesota Wild Odds
Minnesota comes into the contest as the obvious favorite with a moneyline of -140. The line for Calgary sits at +120, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -125 under, +105 over.
Losing 0.9 units for moneyline bettors, Minnesota is 22-20 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team recorded during last year’s regular season (49-33). Of its 42 games this season, 23 have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 14-6 SU at home this year.
The Wild have converted on 19.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.7 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Wild have been whistled for penalties 4.3 times per game overall this season, 4.4 per game over their last five outings total, and 4.2 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to defend opposition power plays for 11.2 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Averaging 28.2 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Devan Dubnyk (16-11-2) has been the top option in goal for Minnesota this season. If head coach Bruce Boudreau decides to give him the evening off, however, the team could roll with Alex Stalock (7-11-11 record, .915 save percentage, 2.70 goals against average).
The Wild will continue relying on leadership from Eric Staal and Mikael Granlund. Staal (37 points) is up to 19 goals and 18 assists and has recorded multiple points in nine different games this year. Granlund has 11 goals and 19 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 19 contests.
Over on the other bench, Calgary is 21-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 41 regular season contests, 22 of its games have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Flames are 9-9 SU as an away team this season.
The Flames have converted on 17.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Calgary’s players have been penalized 4.0 times per game this season, and 4.7 per game over their last ten games. The team has had to kill penalties 9.0 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Mike Smith (28.6 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Calgary. Smith owns an 18-17-3 record, and has registered a .920 save percentage and 2.56 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Flames, the offense will be facilitated by Johnny Gaudreau, who’s got 33 assists and 13 goals on the year.
Calgary Flames at Minnesota Wild Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Calgary is 2-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Minnesota is 2-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in four of Minnesota’s last five outings.
Minnesota’s attempted 29.5 shots per game overall this season (ranked 29th in the NHL), and 32.3 over their last 10 outings.
A majority (63.6 percent) of Minnesota’s wins have been by two or more goals and the team is 14-13 overall in games decided by at least two scores. 9 of Calgary’s 21 wins (42.9 percent) have been decided by two or more goals.
