The Scotiabank Saddledome plays host to a cross-continent matchup as the Calgary Flames take the ice against the visiting Boston Bruins. It’s the final time that the two clubs will meet in the regular season. Sportsnet West will broadcast the matchup, and the action gets going at 4 p.m. ET on Monday, February 19.
Boston Bruins vs. Calgary Flames Odds
Boston is 35-21 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 56 regular season outings, 29 of its games have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Bruins are 16-10 SU on the road in 2017-18.
Boston has converted on 21.0 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Additionally, it has the second-best penalty kill in the league, and the teams successfully killed off a whopping 84.3 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Boston has been penalized 3.8 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over its past five games total, and 4.0 per game over its last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties 8.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 24.9 saves per game with a .921 save percentage, Tuukka Rask (23-15-4) has been the primary option in goal for Boston this year. If Boston decides to rest him, however, they could turn to Anton Khudobin (12-9-4 record, .923 save percentage, 2.34 goals against average).
The visiting Bruins will be led by Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. Marchand (54 points) is up to 21 goals and 33 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 17 different games. Bergeron has 27 goals and 24 assists to his credit, and has logged at least one point in 31 games.
On the other side of the rink, Calgary is 30-29 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 59 regular season contests, 30 of its games have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just one has pushed. It’s 13-17 SU at home this season.
Calgary has converted on just 17.8 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 23rd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all penalties.
Calgary skaters have been penalized 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 5.4 per game over their past five match ups. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays a whopping 13.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Mike Smith (29.0 saves per game) has been the primary netminder in goal for Calgary. Smith has 24 wins, 23 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit and has registered a 2.53 goals against average and a .921 save percentage this season.
The home team offense will be led by Johnny Gaudreau (19 goals, 49 assists).
Boston Bruins at Calgary Flames Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- The total has gone over in four of Calgary’s last five outings.
- The Bruins are 16-5 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Flames are 13-12 SU in games where they serve more minutes than their opponent.
- Boston is 3-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Calgary is 2-5 in shootouts.
- Calgary is ranked 7th in the NHL with 8.3 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower lately, however, as the team has created 7.3 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.6 takeaways over its last five.
- Boston has averaged 5.6 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.8 takeaways per game (ranked sixth in the league).
