The Calgary Flames and the first-year-franchise Vegas Golden Knights collide at the Scotiabank Saddledome in a Pacific Division tilt. It’s the first time these two clubs have ever met head-to-head. The game will get started at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 30 and it can be caught live on Sportsnet West.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Calgary Flames Odds
Vegas is 32-16 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 19.1 units this season. 26 of its contests have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and just two have pushed. As a road team this season, the Knights are 13-11 SU.
Vegas has converted on 19.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. Additionally, it has the ninth-best penalty kill in the league, and the team’s successfully killed off 82.9 percent of its penalties.
The Knights, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.3 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, 3.0 per game over its last five matchups total, and 3.0 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team’s had to kill penalties just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Boasting a .942 save percentage and 29.1 saves per game, Marc-Andre Fleury (12-6-2) has been the primary option in goal for Vegas this year. If it decides to give him a rest, however, head coach Gerard Gallant might go with Malcolm Subban (12-3-1 record, .914 save percentage, 2.49 goals against average).
Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Golden Knights. Marchessault (46 points) is up to 17 goals and 29 assists, and has recorded multiple points 13 times. Karlsson has 27 goals and 15 assists to his name, and has logged at least one point in 29 games.
On the other bench, Calgary is 25-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.7 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 49 regular season outings, 27 of its games have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just one has pushed. This season, the team’s 12-14 SU at home.
The Flames have converted on just 17.4 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom 10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Calgary skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 5.4 per game over their last ten outings. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays a whopping 16.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Mike Smith (29.1 saves per game) has been the top netminder in goal for the Flames. Smith has 21 wins, 20 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit and has registered a .926 save percentage and 2.39 goals against average this season.
The home team offense will be led by Johnny Gaudreau (15 goals, 41 assists).
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Calgary Flames Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Two of Calgary’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 2-5 overall in shootouts this season.
Calgary has averaged 2.8 goals per game (overall) this season, but is averaging 1.5 goals per matchup over its four-game losing skid.
