In a game between two squads that have put themselves squarely in playoff contention, the Winnipeg Jets and the Calgary Flames take the ice at the Scotiabank Saddledome in a Western Conference matchup. The opening face-off is at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 20, and you will be able to catch the game live on CBC Sports.
Winnipeg Jets at Calgary Flames Odds
Winnipeg is 26-20 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 5.2 units this year. 23 of its contests have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under and just two have pushed. As an away team in 2017-18, the Jets are 10-16 SU.
Winnipeg currently touts the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s found the net on 25.6 percent of its extra-man chances this year. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and it has successfully killed off 81.4 percent of all penalties.
Winnipeg, as a collective unit, has been sent to the penalty box 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 6.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .922 save percentage and 27.6 saves per game, Connor Hellebuyck (23-14-6) has been the primary option in goal for Winnipeg this season. If head coach Paul Maurice decides to rest him, however, Winnipeg may turn to Steve Mason (3-8-1), who has a .897 save percentage and 3.52 goals against average this year.
Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Jets. Wheeler has 53 points on 14 goals and 39 assists, and has recorded two or more points 15 times. Scheifele has 15 goals and 23 assists to his name (and has notched a point in 21 games).
On the other side of the ice, Calgary is 25-20 straight up (SU) and has netted 3.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. 24 of its contests have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just one has pushed. This season, the team’s 12-11 SU at home.
Calgary has converted on 18.5 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Calgary players have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 6.6 per game over their past five games. The team’s been forced to kill penalties a whopping 19.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Mike Smith has stopped 29.1 shots per game as the primary selection in goal for Calgary. Smith has 21 wins, 17 losses, and three OT losses to his credit and has registered a 2.46 goals against average and a .924 save percentage this season.
The Flames will be led on offense by Johnny Gaudreau (15 goals, 39 assists).
Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
The Jets are 13-6 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 15-12 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total.
Calgary (2-3 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Winnipeg has only participated in two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
Calgary has managed 11.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.7 takeaways per game (ranked 6th).
Winnipeg has averaged 6.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 6.8 takeaways per game (ranked 21st overall).
