The Scotiabank Saddledome will be hosting an enticing showdown as the New Jersey Devils square off against the Calgary Flames. It’s the last time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. The opening face-off takes place at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 12, and fans at home will be able to catch this cross-continent matchup live on Sportsnet West.
New Jersey Devils vs. Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary (-400) is being labeled as the solid favorite over New Jersey (+310), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 over, +100 under.
The Flames are 42-27 straight-up (SU) and have netted 7.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the league in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 37-45 record from the 2017-18 season campaign. Among its 69 games this season, 37 have gone over the total, while 29 have gone under and just three have pushed. This season, the team is 21-12 SU at home.
Calgary’s connected on 21.6 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 20th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.7 percent of all penalties.
Calgary, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.7 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over its last five outings at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 7.2 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 24.8 saves per game with a .911 save percentage, David Rittich (24 wins, 15 losses, and five OT losses) has been the top goalkeeper for the Flames this year. If head coach Bill Peters chooses to give him a rest, however, the Flames might go with Mike Smith (20-15-15 record, .896 save percentage, 2.90 goals against average).
Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Flames. Gaudreau (84 points) is up to 30 goals and 54 assists and has recorded multiple points in 24 different games this year. Monahan has 30 goals and 42 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 45 contests.
Over on the other bench, New Jersey is 25-44 straight up (SU) and has lost 17.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 69 regular season outings, 35 of its games have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under the total and just three have pushed. As the road team, New Jersey is 8-26 SU.
New Jersey has converted on 17.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fourth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.9 percent of all penalties.
New Jersey’s players have been penalized 3.9 times per game this season, 3.8 per game over their past five contests total, and 4.0 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Keith Kinkaid (25.8 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for New Jersey. Kinkaid has 16 wins, 25 losses, and six overtime losses to his credit, and has registered a .891 save percentage and 3.36 goals against average this year.
Kyle Palmieri (26 goals, 22 assists) will pace the offensive counter for the visiting Devils.
New Jersey Devils at Calgary Flames Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Calgary is 0-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while New Jersey is 1-4 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in three of New Jersey’s last five games.
- New Jersey has managed 23.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Calgary has been attempting 33.8 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- Five of New Jersey’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-4 in those games.
- New Jersey skaters have given out the 12th-most hits in the league (23.0 per game).
