The Calgary Flames, led by Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau, are ready to take the ice against Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena in a Pacific Division tilt. The match gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 8, and fans at home can watch it live on CBC Sports.
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks Odds
Vancouver is 30-25 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 5.7 units this year. That winning percentage, the best in the Pacific Division in this young season, is a remarkable improvement over the 35-47 record from the 2018-19 season campaign. Of its 55 games this season, 28 have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team’s 17-8 SU at home this year.
The Canucks have converted on 22.6 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 16th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.9 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 29.8 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Jacob Markstrom (20 wins, 18 losses, and three OT losses) has been the best option in goal for Vancouver this year. If the Nucks, however, decide to give him the evening off, head coach Travis Green may turn to Thatcher Demko (10-8-8 record, .909 save percentage, 2.92 goals against average).
In the other locker room, Calgary is 27-28 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 55 regular season contests, 28 of its games have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just three have pushed. The Flames are 14-14 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Flames have converted on 19.7 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 16th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.2 percent of all penalties.
David Rittich (28.2 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Calgary. Rittich owns a 20-19-5 record, and has registered a .909 save percentage and 2.88 goals against average this year.
Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
The Canucks are 3-2 in games decided by shootout. The Flames are 6-1 in shootouts.
Over Calgary’s last ten games, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 0-4 in those games).
Calgary skaters registered 16.3 hits per game last season, while the Nucks accounted for 21.9 hits per contest.
