The Nashville Predators (3-6-1) and Calgary Flames (5-3-0) are both coming off two straight losses. Nashville just got smashed by the devastating Edmonton Oilers, while the Flames got drained by penalties and turnovers against the Seattle Kraken. The Western Conference standings can be misleading as the Flames rank only 8th so far, while the Preds are 12th in the West.
However, the Flames’ schedule has made them play only eight games so far compared to nine to twelve games for every other team. Calgary is likely to start climbing the NHL standings quickly as they play more games and collect more wins. We’ll review all the important stats and odds in our Predators vs Flames game prediction.
Matchup Preview
Nashville Predators vs. Calgary Flames Odds Breakdown
As of publication of our Predators vs Flames game prediction, the odds favor the Calgary Flames in this one. The Flames are a large favorite on the moneyline, listed at -180. The Nashville Predators will start the game as an underdog, with their moneyline odds listed at +156.
The total goals over/under is set at 6.5 goals. The over is set at +102 odds, while the under is listed at -113 odds.
The Calgary Flames are the underdog, but against the puck line spread, listed at -1.5 with +135 odds. The Nashville Predators are the betting favorite on the puck line spread, listed at +1.5 with -160 odds. Just because the Predators’ odds have the favored betting lines doesn’t mean you should pick them. However, if you think this game is close – thanks to Juuse Soros – then the Predators +1.5 is a potential bet for your betting ticket today.
Nashville Predators vs. Calgary Flames Betting Preview
- Nashville Predators Preview
The Nashville Predators’ odds will fall under the category of underdog more often than not, regardless of who is on their NHL schedule. The Predators rank 28th among NHL teams with 2.60 goals scored/per game. Nashville also has one of the worst defense and goaltending pairs allowing 3.50 goals/per game which gives them the 24th rank in the league.
Juuse Saros (2-5-1) will get the start for the Nashville Predators. He might be the only reason the Preds stand a chance in our Predators vs Flames game prediction. Coming off a 38-win season last year, the 32-year-old Finnish goalie has faced an average of 31 shots/per game, as his defense can’t keep up with the pressure from the opponents’ forwards.
Marc Borowiecki is listed on the Predators’ NHL injury report as he is undergoing an MRI for an upper-body injury. We will know more about the nature of his injury tomorrow.
- Calgary Flames Preview
As predictable as it could have been before the season, the Flames are 9th in the league for goals scored/per game with a 3.50 average. For the Flames, even if they score a lot of goals, when they don’t, they can count on Jacob Markstrom, who has a 4-1-0 record with a 2.60 GAA and a .903 save percentage. Markstrom will get his sixth start of the season after backup Dan Vladar got the start against the Kraken, allowing five goals on the 26 shots he faced, helping Calgary collapse in the loss 5-4.
The Flames have a decent campaign so far, and the reason is that their star players haven’t played at their level so far. Nazem Kadri is the scoring leader for the Flames, with five goals and five assists for a total of 10 points in 8 games. However, Jonathan Huberdeau, acquired last summer in the deal with Florida that featured Matthew Tkachuk, has only scored once so far and has five total points.
Nashville Predators vs. Calgary Flames Pick and Prediction
I don’t see how the Flames could let this one slip. Calgary is my betting pick for the Flames matchup today, regardless of how appealing the Predators’ odds may appear. If you look at the different stats provided, you will only want to bet on the Flames for this matchup. But what stands out the most is what you’ll see on the ice. It’s tough to pick against a powerful, well-balanced team like the Flames against the “almost in reconstruction phase” Nashville Predators.
For a high-caliber team like Calgary, with many Western Conference teams having solid starts to their campaigns, points against lower-standing teams are precious, and they need this win. Jacob Markstrom(4-1-0) will be back in the nets, which will solidify Calgary compared to the lineup they had for their matchup against Seattle on Tuesday night. At one point, Jonathan Huberdeau, Mikael Backlund, and Andrew Mangapiane will get their game going and put points on the scoresheet to support Kadri and Calgary’s dynamite third line.
It is difficult to go with anything positive for Nashville in our Predators vs Flames game prediction. Yes, the Preds scored four goals against the Oilers, but they trailed for the whole game, and their score was flattered by the Oilers’ goaltending, which doesn’t remotely match the Oilers’ offensive firepower. The key for Nashville is for Juuse Saros to put up an extraordinary game between the pipes and for their powerplay to start giving help to their goalie.
Sadly, the Predators will lose a lot of games this year, especially against high-caliber teams. The Preds have difficulty finding the back of the net, their defense is porous, and even with Juuse Saros in front of the net, he can’t do everything, and the Predators don’t have the type of offensive talent to top the NHL player stats or compete with teams of Calgary’s caliber. I think we’ve made our betting picks and predictions fairly clear: take the Calgary Flames.
Final Score Prediction: Calgary Flames 5 – Nashville Predators – 2
NHL Picks: Take the Calgary Flames on the MoneyLine (-180) and the Over of 6 ½ total goals scored in the game
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