In what’s already their final head-to-head matchup of the season, the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks clash at Rogers Arena for a Pacific Division matchup. The game will get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 17 and it can be viewed live on RSN.
Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds
Calgary is 16-17 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 33 regular season matches, 16 of its games have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Flames team is 8-7 SU on the road.
Calgary has converted on 17.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 26th overall, and it’s successfully killed off only 77.4 percent of its penalties.
The Flames, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.9 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 3.0 per game over its last five on the road. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .918 save percentage and 28.3 saves per game, Mike Smith (14-15-3) has been the top option in goal for Calgary this year. Smith played last night, however, so Calgary could choose to rest him and go with Eddie Lack instead (1-3 record, .813 save percentage, 5.29 goals against average).
Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will both be offensive focal points for the visiting Flames. Gaudreau has 39 points on 13 goals and 26 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 12 different games. Monahan has 17 goals and 13 assists to his credit (and has notched a point in 19 games).
Vancouver is 15-18 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 1.5 units this year. 18 of its contests have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the teams 6-10 SU at home.
The Canucks have converted on 21.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places it in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all penalties.
Vancouver players have been sent to the penalty box 3.9 times per game in total this season, and 4.6 per game over their last five games. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom (26.4 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for the Canucks. Markstrom has nine wins, 14 losses, and three overtime losses to his name and has registered a 2.57 goals against average and a .912 save percentage this year.
Brock Boeser (17 goals, 13 assists) will pace the attack for the Nucks.
Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Calgary is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Vancouver is 0-2 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in four of Vancouver’s last five games.
- Six of Calgary’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
