Two teams that split their head-to-head series (two wins apiece) a year ago, the Arizona Coyotes and the Calgary Flames meet at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Sportsnet West will showcase this divisional matchup, which gets underway at 4 p.m. ET on Monday, February 18.
Arizona Coyotes vs. Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary (-240) is currently the favorite over Arizona (+200) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -120 for the over and even money (+100) for the under.
The Flames are 35-23 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 5.8 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked fourth in the league in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 37-45 record from the 2017-18 season campaign. Among the team’s 58 games this season, 34 have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team is 17-10 SU at home.
Calgary’s connected on 22.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.3 percent of all penalties.
Calgary, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 4.5 per game over its past ten matchups. The team has had to kill penalties for just 6.4 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
Boasting a .911 save percentage and 24.7 saves per game, David Rittich (21-13-5) has been the top option in goal for the Flames this year. If head coach Bill Peters chooses to give him the day off, however, the team may roll with Mike Smith (16-13-13 record, .891 save percentage, 3.09 goals against average).
Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Flames. Gaudreau (78 points) has produced 29 goals and 49 assists and has recorded multiple points in 23 different games this year. Lindholm has 25 goals and 41 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 42 games.
Over on the other bench, Arizona is 26-32 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.1 units this season. Through 58 regular season matches, 30 of its games have gone under the total, while 25 have gone over and just three have pushed. Arizona’s 15-15 SU as the road team this season.
Arizona has converted on just 17.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places it in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked first overall and it’s successfully killed off 85.2 percent of all penalties.
Arizona’s players have been penalized 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five match ups. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 5.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Darcy Kuemper (2.68 goals against average and .913 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Arizona. Kuemper is averaging 28.1 saves per game and owns a 14-19-5 record.
For the visiting Coyotes, the offense will run through Clayton Keller (11 goals, 27 assists) and Alex Galchenyuk (13 goals, 18 assists).
Arizona Coyotes at Calgary Flames Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Coyotes, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Arizona is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Calgary is 0-4 in shootouts.
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in four of their last five outings.
- Arizona skaters have accounted for the league’s eighth-most hits per game (23.9).
