Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames Free Preview

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The Scotiabank Saddledome will be hosting a divisional tilt as the Vancouver Canucks pay a visit to Calgary to take on the Flames. Sportsnet West will broadcast the game, and the action gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 7.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames Odds

Calgary (-180) is currently the favorite over Vancouver (+160), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-125 for the under, +105 for the over). Calgary is 8-6 straight up (SU) and has earned 1.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is right in line with what the team managed during last year’s regular season (45-37). Seven of its 14 contests have gone under the total, while six have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 4-4 SU at home this season. The Flames have converted on just 14.3 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 28th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 23rd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 78.8 percent of all penalties. The Flames, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 4.5, the second-worst mark in the league. After serving an average of 11.5 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team’s been forced to kill penalties for just 9.1 minutes per matchup this season. With a .931 save percentage and 31.1 saves per game, Mike Smith (8-5) has been the primary goalkeeper for Calgary this season. If Calgary decides to give him a rest, however, it may roll with the winless Eddie Lack (0-2-2 record, .853 save percentage, 4.17 goals against average). The Flames will continue to rely on leadership from Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Gaudreau (18 points) has tallied three goals and 15 assists and has recorded two or more points four times this year. Monahan has eight goals and five assists to his name and has notched at least one point in nine games. Over on the other bench, Vancouver is 7-7 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 3.3 units this season. Through 14 regular season outings, seven of its games have gone under the total, while six have gone over and none have pushed. As the visiting team so far, the Canucks are 4-1 SU. The Canucks have converted on just 13.8 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 13th overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all penalties. Vancouver’s players have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 3.2, which was the fourth-best mark in the league. After serving an average of 7.9 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team’s been forced to kill penalties for a whopping 11.4 minutes per outing this season. Jacob Markstrom (25.5 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom has four wins, seven losses, and two overtime losses to his credit, while registering a .918 save percentage and 2.30 goals against average this year. Brock Boeser (five goals, eight assists) has been one of the most vital offensive facilitators for the visiting Canucks.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames Betting Picks

Predictions: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Over

Betting Trends:

  • The total has gone under in three of Calgary’s last five outings.
  • Calgary is averaging 2.5 goals per game in its past three games (the team’s a perfect 0-0 SU during that streak).