Two teams that each spend an average double-digit minutes per game in the penalty box, the Calgary Flames and the Florida Panthers face off at the BB&T Center for an East-West showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 12, and you can see the game live on Sportsnet Flames.
Calgary Flames at Florida Panthers Odds
Calgary is 23-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. 23 of its outings have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Flames team is 11-9 SU on the road.
Calgary has converted on 17.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 19th out of 31 teams, and the team’s successfully killed off 80.0 percent of its penalties.
The Flames, as a collective unit, have been sent to the penalty box 4.1 times per game this season, and 5.6 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays 12.8 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
With a .922 save percentage and 28.8 saves per game, Mike Smith (20-17-3) has been the top option in goal for Calgary this year. Smith played last night, however, so head coach Glen Gulutzan could decide to rest him and turn to David Rittich instead (3-2-1 record, .924 save percentage, 2.04 goals against average).
The visiting Flames have relied heavily on Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan this year. Gaudreau (51 points) is up to 14 goals and 37 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 15 different games. Monahan has 20 goals and 20 assists to his credit, and has notched at least one point in 25 games.
Florida is 18-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. 21 of its outings have gone over the total, while another 21 have gone under and none have pushed. It’s 10-9 SU at home this year.
The Panthers have converted on just 15.6 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 28th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.3 percent of all penalties.
Panthers players have been sent to the penalty box 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five games. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
James Reimer has stopped 28.5 shots per game as the primary netminder in goal for the Panthers. Reimer has 12 wins, 17 losses, and five overtime losses to his credit and has registered a pedestrian 3.05 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this year.
Jonathan Huberdeau (16 goals, 27 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the Panthers.
Calgary Flames at Florida Panthers Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Calgary has averaged 3.8 goals per game while giving up just 2.2 over their five-game winning streak.
The Panthers are 5-12 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 7-15 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
Florida is 2-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Calgary is 2-3 in shootouts.
Calgary may have an advantage if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 13-9 in games decided by one goal, while Florida is 9-12 in such games.
The total has gone over in three of Florida’s last five outings.
Florida is ranked 27th this season with 11.8 giveaways per game. That figure has improved, however, as the team’s averaged 9.6 giveaways over its last 10 games and 8.2 giveaways over its last five.
Calgary skaters have averaged 6.6 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 9.7 giveaways per game (ranked 15th).
