In what’s already the final head-to-head regular season matchup between the two clubs, the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames face off at the Scotiabank Saddledome in an East-West tilt. The puck drops at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, December 22, and you can view the game live on Reseau Des Sports.
Montreal Canadiens at Calgary Flames Odds
Montreal (+115) is entering this one as the underdog to Calgary (-135), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Calgary is 18-17 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to the 45-37 record the team managed during last years regular season campaign. Through 35 regular season matches, 18 of the teams games have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just one has pushed. This year, the teams 9-10 SU at home.
The Flames have converted on just 17.1 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 28th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 77.4 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Flames have been called for penalties 4.1 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five games. The teams had to stave off opposition power plays for 13.0 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Averaging 28.0 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Mike Smith (15-15-3) has been the top goalkeeper for Calgary this year. If head coach Glen Gulutzan chooses to give him a breather, however, the team could turn to David Rittich (3-1-1 record, .919 save percentage, 2.10 goals against average).
The Flames will continue seeking offensive production out of Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Gaudreau (40 points) is up to 13 goals and 27 assists and has recorded two or more points on 12 separate occasions this year. Monahan has 17 goals and 14 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 19 contests.
Over on the other bench, Montreal is 15-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 34 regular season matches, 16 of its games have gone over the total, while another 16 have gone under and just two have pushed. As a road team so far, the Canadiens are 6-9 SU.
The Canadiens have converted on 18.7 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.7 percent of all penalties.
Montreal’s skaters have been penalized 4.0 times per game this season, 3.6 per game over their past five match ups total, and 4.0 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (.903 save percentage and 3.09 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 27.2 saves per game and has 10 wins, 12 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit.
Phillip Danault (seven goals, 14 assists) has been one of the most vital playmaking threats for the visiting Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens at Calgary Flames Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Montreal is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Calgary is 2-2 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in four of Calgary’s last five games.
- This game features two clubs that fire the puck toward the goal a lot. Montreal has taken the leagues eighth-most shots on goal (33.9) and Calgary has attempted the 10th-most (33.2). The Habs have averaged 28.8 shot attempts over their last five home games while the Flames have taken 35.8 shots over their last five home outings.
- Over Montreal’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-2 in those games).
- Montreal skaters have dished out the leagues third-most hits per game (25.0), but the teams recorded just 18.2 hits over their last five away games.
