The Scotiabank Saddledome is playing host a Western Conference showdown as the Calgary Flames take on the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. Sportsnet will air the game, which gets underway at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 3.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary (-125) is currently favored over Chicago (+105), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
The Flames are 25-26 straight up (SU) and have recorded -6.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (45-37). Of the team’s 51 regular season contests, 27 have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 12-16 SU at home this season.
Calgary has converted on just 17.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places the team in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 18th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.5 percent of all penalties.
Calgary, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 5.1 per game over its last ten matchups. The team has had to kill penalties for a whopping 14.7 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 29.0 saves per game with a .922 save percentage, Mike Smith (21 wins, 22 losses, and six OT losses) has been the best goalkeeper for the Flames this season. If they choose to give him a rest, however, head coach Glen Gulutzan might go with David Rittich (4-4-4 record, .926 save percentage, 2.23 goals against average).
The Flames will continue looking for offensive production out of Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Gaudreau (58 points) has produced 15 goals and 43 assists and has recorded multiple points on 17 separate occasions this year. Monahan has 23 goals and 21 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 28 contests.
On the other bench, Chicago is 24-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 27 of its games have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just two have pushed. As an away team, Chicago is 12-14 SU so far.
Chicago has converted on just 15.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 30th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.6 percent of all penalties.
Chicago’s players have been called for penalties 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five games. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Chicago. Crawford owns a 16-12-2 record, while registering a .929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average this year.
Patrick Kane (20 goals, 30 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the visiting Blackhawks.
Chicago Blackhawks at Calgary Flames Free Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
The total has gone over in three of Calgary’s last five outings.
This game features two teams that force a heavy amount of shots on goal. Chicago has registered the league’s fourth-most shots on goal (34.3) and Calgary has attempted the 10th-most (32.9).
The Flames are 9-12 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Blackhawks are 4-7 SU when they serve more minutes than their opponent.
Two of Calgary’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 2-5 overall in shootouts this season.
Calgary is ranked 7th in the league this season with 8.5 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower, however, as the team has averaged 7.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.2 takeaways over its last five.
Chicago is ranked 15th overall with 7.4 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower lately, however, as it’s created 6.5 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.4 takeaways over its last five.
