Matching up for the final time this season, the New York Rangers and the Calgary Flames collide at the Scotiabank Saddledome for a cross-continent tilt. The first puck will drop at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, March 2, and you’ll be able to view it live on Sportsnet West.
New York Rangers vs. Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary is 32-33 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team recorded during last year’s regular season (45-37). Of its 65 regular season matches, 32 have gone under the total, while 31 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team’s 14-18 SU at home this year.
The Flames have converted on just 18.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 17th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.3 percent of all penalties.
The Flames, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.5 times per game overall this season, and 6.0 per game over their past ten games. The team’s had to kill penalties for a whopping 16.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
Sporting a .921 save percentage and 29.0 saves per game, Mike Smith (24 wins, 23 losses, and six OT losses) has been the best option in goal for Calgary this season. If Calgary chooses to give him the night off, however, head coach Glen Gulutzan may roll with David Rittich (7-9-9 record, .900 save percentage, 3.11 goals against average).
Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will each be offensive focal points for the Flames. Gaudreau (73 points) is up to 20 goals and 53 assists and has recorded multiple points 20 times this year. Monahan has 29 goals and 29 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 38 games.
New York is 28-36 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 64 regular season outings, 34 of its games have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just two have pushed. As a road team, the Rangers are 10-20 SU.
The Rangers have converted on 20.8 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 10th overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York’s skaters have been penalized 3.6 times per game this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (28.7 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for New York. Lundqvist has 24 wins, 30 losses, and five OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .914 save percentage and 2.93 goals against average this year.
Vladislav Namestnikov (21 goals, 25 assists) and Mats Zuccarello (10 goals, 33 assists) have been standout playmakers for New York and will pace the offensive attack for the visiting Rangers.
New York Rangers at Calgary Flames Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Rangers, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- New York is 3-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while Calgary is 2-5 in shootouts.
- The total has gone over in three of Calgary’s last five games.
- Over New York’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-5 in those games).
