The Scotiabank Saddledome plays host to an enticing clash as the St. Louis Blues come into town to face the Calgary Flames. It’s the third and last time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. This Western Conference matchup will get started at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 22, and it’ll be broadcasted live on Sportsnet West.
St. Louis Blues at Calgary Flames Odds
The Flames are 22-14 straight-up (SU) and have netted 5.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, the league’s fifth-strongest so far this season, is a welcomed improvement compared to how the team performed during last year’s regular season (37-45). Through 36 regular season contests, 18 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just one has pushed. Thus far, the team is 11-6 SU at home.
Calgary’s converted on 21.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 13th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.1 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Calgary has been penalized 3.7 times per game overall this season, and 4.4 per game over its past ten contests. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays for 9.8 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
Averaging 23.9 saves per game with a .923 save percentage, David Rittich (12-8-2) has been the top option in goal for the Flames this season. If head coach Bill Peters decides to rest him, however, the Flames could roll with Mike Smith (12-8-8 record, .888 save percentage, 2.99 goals against average).
Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk will both lead the offensive attack for the Flames. Gaudreau (47 points) is up to 16 goals and 31 assists and has recorded multiple points in 13 different games this year. Tkachuk has 15 goals and 26 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 21 contests.
On the visiting bench, St. Louis is 13-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 33 regular season contests, 16 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. As the away team, St. Louis is 5-9 SU so far.
St. Louis has converted on 21.4 percent of its 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 82.6 percent of all penalties.
St. Louis’ skaters have been penalized 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 6.0 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties 14.6 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Jake Allen (.898 save percentage and 3.17 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for St. Louis. Allen is averaging 25.0 saves per game and has 11 wins, 16 losses, and four OT losses to his credit.
Ryan O’Reilly (13 goals, 19 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the visiting Blues.
St. Louis Blues vs. Calgary Flames Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their past five matchups.
- Extra-man opportunities may prove to be extremely important in this game. The Blues are 6-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 6-11 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Flames are 14-5 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 15-11 in games where their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- One of the best teams at disrupting their opponents, Calgary is ranked 4th in the league with 9.5 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended higher recently, as it has managed 10.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 11.8 takeaways over its last five.
- St. Louis is ranked 15th in the NHL with 7.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher lately, as it’s created 8.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 9.4 takeaways over its last five.
