In a game that features two teams that are firmly in the playoff hunt, the Calgary Flames and the Pittsburgh Penguins clash at PPG Paints Arena. Sportsnet West will broadcast this cross-continent matchup, which gets underway at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 16.
Calgary Flames at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Moneyline and Over/Under (O/U) odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
Calgary is 34-23 straight up (SU) and has netted 4.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 57 regular season outings, 33 of its games have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just one has pushed. The Flames are 17-13 SU on the road in 2018-19.
Calgary has converted on 22.1 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 79.4 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, Calgary has been penalized 3.7 times per game overall in the 2018-19 season, 3.6 per game over its last five contests total, and 4.0 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .911 save percentage and 24.7 saves per game, David Rittich (21-13-5) has been the top option in goal for Calgary this year. If it chooses to rest him, however, Calgary might turn to Mike Smith (15-13-2), who has a .891 save percentage and 3.06 goals against average this year.
The visiting Flames have relied heavily on Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan this year. Gaudreau (78 points) is up to 29 goals and 49 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 23 different games. Monahan has 29 goals and 36 assists to his credit (and has registered a point in 38 games).
Over on the other bench, Pittsburgh is 30-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 12.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 57 regular season outings, 26 of its games have gone over the total, while another 26 have gone under and just five have pushed. It’s 16-12 SU at home this season.
Pittsburgh has converted on 23.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s good enough for seventh-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.2 percent of all penalties.
Pittsburgh players have been sent to the penalty box only 3.3 times per game this season, 3.4 per game over their last five match ups total, and 3.2 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to kill penalties 9.8 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Casey DeSmith has denied 27.7 shots per game as the top netminder in goal for Pittsburgh. DeSmith has 13 wins, 18 losses, and five OT losses and has maintained a mediocre 2.78 goals against average and a .916 save percentage this year.
Sidney Crosby (24 goals, 42 assists) will lead the attack for the Penguins.
Calgary Flames vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The Flames are 21-9 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 23-18 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes.
- Pittsburgh is 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Calgary is 0-4 in shootouts.
- Pittsburgh is ranked 13th in the NHL with 8.1 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down recently, however, as the team has averaged 6.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.2 takeaways over its last five.
- Calgary has scored 3.6 goals per game this season, but is down to 2.5 goals per match up over its last four games (0-4 SU over that span).
- Calgary skaters have managed 7.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 9.8 takeaways per game (ranked third overall).
