Bell Centre plays host to a cross-country matchup as the Calgary Flames face off against the Montreal Canadiens. The opening face-off is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 7, and fans at home can view it live on Reseau Des Sports.
Calgary Flames at Montreal Canadiens Odds
Calgary is 14-14 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. 14 of its contests have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Flames team is 7-6 SU on the road.
Calgary has converted on 21.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 28th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off only 76.3 percent of all penalties.
Calgary, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game in the 2017-18 season, and 2.8 per game over its last five contests. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 7.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .918 save percentage and 29.0 saves per game, Mike Smith (13-12-2) has been the primary option in goal for Calgary this year. Smith played last night, however, so the team might choose to rest him and turn to Eddie Lack instead (1-3 record, .813 save percentage, 5.29 goals against average).
Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will both lead the way for the visiting Flames. Gaudreau (36 points) is up to 12 goals and 24 assists, and has recorded multiple points 12 times. Monahan has 15 goals and 13 assists to his credit (and has registered a point in 17 games).
Montreal is 13-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. 14 of its matches have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and just two have pushed. This year, the team is 8-8 SU at home.
Montreal has converted on 17.7 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 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.9 percent of all penalties.
Montreal players have been called for penalties 4.0 times per game in total this season, and 3.4 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Carey Price has stopped 26.7 shots per game as the primary netminder in goal for Montreal. Price has eight wins, nine losses, and one OT loss to his name and has recorded a pedestrian 3.00 goals against average and a poor .903 save percentage this season.
The Habs will be led on offense by Brendan Gallagher (13 goals, six assists).
Calgary Flames vs. Montreal Canadiens Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
The total has gone over in three of Montreal’s last five outings.
Two clubs that put the puck on net a lot, Calgary has attempted the league’s ninth-most shots on goal (33.1) and Montreal has attempted the seventh-most (34.3).
The Canadiens are 4-6 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Flames are 4-9 SU in games where they serve more minutes than their opponent.
Montreal is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Calgary is 2-1 in shootouts.
Montreal has created 7.2 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 6.0 takeaways per game (ranked 26th).
Calgary has allowed 3.2 goals per game overall this season, but is allowing 4.7 goals per match up over its last three games (0-3 SU over that span).
Calgary skaters have forced 8.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 9.1 takeaways per game (ranked seventh overall).
