PPG Paints Arena is the site for a cross-continent showdown as the Calgary Flames travel to Western PA to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s the last time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. Sportsnet ONE will air the matchup, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 5.
Calgary Flames at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Calgary (+160) is playing the role of underdog to Pittsburgh (-185) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 7 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
The Penguins are 37-29 straight up (SU) and have lost 0.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 66 regular season contests, 35 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 29 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 24-9 SU at home this season.
Pittsburgh currently touts the best power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has found the net on 26.7 percent of their extra-man advantages this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 13th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.6 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Pittsburgh has been penalized 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over its last five contests at home. The team has had to defend opponent power plays for just 8.3 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 25.7 saves per game with a .909 save percentage, Matt Murray (25-16-2) has been the top goalkeeper for the Penguins this season. If they decide to give him a rest, however, the team might go with Tristan Jarry (12-10-10 record, .913 save percentage, 2.68 goals against average).
The Pens will continue seeking offensive production from Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. Malkin (79 points) has tallied 36 goals and 43 assists and has recorded multiple points on 20 different occasions this year. Kessel has 27 goals and 47 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 45 games.
Over on the other bench, Calgary is 32-34 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 66 regular season outings, 33 of its games have gone under the total, while 31 have gone over and just two have pushed. As the away team, Calgary is 18-15 SU.
Calgary has converted on just 18.1 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 16th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.5 percent of all penalties.
Calgary’s skaters have been penalized 4.5 times per game this season, and 7.2 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays a whopping 15.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Mike Smith (29.0 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Calgary. Smith owns a 24-23-6 record, while registering a .921 save percentage and 2.53 goals against average this year.
Johnny Gaudreau (20 goals, 53 assists) has been one of the top offensive facilitators for the visiting Flames.
Calgary Flames vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Pittsburgh is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Calgary is 2-5 in shootouts.
The over has hit in three of Pittsburgh’s last five outings.
This game features two clubs that put the puck on goal a lot. Calgary has taken the league’s eighth-most shots on goal (33.1) and Pittsburgh has attempted the third-most (34.4).
Over Calgary’s last ten games, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-6 in those games).
The Penguins this season have tallied the seventh-most hits per game (24.2).
