Montreal Canadiens at Calgary Flames Matchup

The Montreal Canadiens, led by Max Domi and Tomas Tatar, are prepared to take the ice against Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, and the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome for a cross-country showdown. This one will get going at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 15 and it can be viewed live on Sportsnet West.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Calgary Flames Odds

Montreal (+130) is entering this one as the underdog to Calgary (-150), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-105 over, -115 under).

Earning 1.6 units for moneyline bettors, Calgary is 10-8 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, ranked 1st in the Pacific Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 37-45 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Through 18 regular season matches, nine of the team’s games have gone over the total, while an additional nine have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the team is 4-3 SU at home.

The Flames have converted on just 15.9 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 23rd overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 22nd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 77.2 percent of all penalties.

Averaging 23.1 saves per game with a .877 save percentage, Mike Smith (5-7-1) has been the primary goalkeeper for Calgary this year. If head coach Bill Peters chooses to rest him, however, the team might roll with David Rittich (5-3-3 record, .935 save percentage, 1.91 goals against average).

Montreal has earned 1.6 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 9-9 straight up (SU). 10 of its contests have gone over the total, while seven have gone under the total and just one has pushed. The Canadiens are 3-5 SU as the visiting team this season.

The Canadiens have converted on just 13.2 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked ninth overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.5 percent of all penalties.

Carey Price (25.5 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price has five wins, seven losses, and three OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .892 save percentage and 3.07 goals against average this year.

Montreal Canadiens at Calgary Flames Free Picks

Free Prediction: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Over

Betting Notes

A majority (60.0 percent) of Calgary’s wins have come by two or more goals, and the team is 6-5 overall in such games. 4 of Montreal’s 9 wins (44.4 percent) have been decided by two or more goals.

Extra-man opportunities may prove to be critical in tonight’s game. The Canadiens are 3-4 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 5-5 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Flames are 5-3 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 8-6 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.

The total has gone over in each of Montreal’s last five outings.

Montreal has averaged 8.0 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 11.5 giveaways per game (ranked 26th overall).

Calgary is ranked 26th this season with 11.8 giveaways per game. That figure has trended upward lately, as it’s averaged 13.2 giveaways over its last 10 games and 15.2 giveaways over its last five.

Montreal skaters have given out the second-most hits in the league (26.9 per game), but the team’s recorded just 23.2 hits over their last five away games.