Facing each other for the second and final time this year, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Calgary Flames face off at the Scotiabank Saddledome in an East-West tilt. Sportsnet West will showcase the game, which gets going at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 29.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Calgary Flames Odds
Columbus is 43-34 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 77 regular season contests, 40 of its games have gone under the total, while 36 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Jackets are 18-20 SU on the road in 2017-18.
Columbus has converted on just 15.0 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked 26th in the league, and the team’s successfully killed off only 77.4 percent of its penalties.
The Jackets, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties just 3.0 times per game this season, and 3.8 per game over its past five matchups. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 28.0 saves per game with a .921 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (35-27-5) has been the best option in goal for Columbus this year. If it chooses to rest him, however, the team might turn to Joonas Korpisalo (8-8 record, .902 save percentage, 3.23 goals against average).
Artemi Panarin and Thomas Vanek will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Blue Jackets. Panarin (71 points) is up to 26 goals and 45 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 14 different games. Vanek has 24 goals and 30 assists to his credit, and has registered at least one point in 36 games.
On the other bench, Calgary is 35-42 straight up (SU) and has lost 14.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. 38 of its games have gone under the total, while 37 have gone over and just two have pushed. It’s 15-22 SU at home this year.
The Flames have converted on just 16.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom 5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.9 percent of all penalties.
Flames 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 home outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Mike Smith (28.0 saves per game) has been the top selection in goal for the Flames. Smith has 25 wins, 29 losses, and six OT losses and has recorded a .916 save percentage and 2.66 goals against average this season.
The home team will be led on offense by Johnny Gaudreau (23 goals, 59 assists).
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Calgary Flames Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Over Calgary’s last ten outings, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-7 in those games).
Power plays and penalty kills may play a key role in this one. The Blue Jackets are 18-16 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 37-27 in games where they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Flames are 14-19 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 18-23 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Columbus is 6-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while Calgary is 2-5 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in three of Calgary’s last five games.
Calgary has averaged 2.7 goals per game overall this season, but is averaging 1.2 goals per contest on its six-game losing skid.
Calgary has averaged 14.8 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 9.9 giveaways per game (ranked 19th).
Columbus skaters have averaged 7.6 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 6.3 giveaways per game (the fifth-fewest in the NHL).
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