Two teams that split their season series (one win apiece) last year, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Calgary Flames face off at the Scotiabank Saddledome. This cross-continent matchup gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 12 and it’s being shown live on Sportsnet.
Philadelphia Flyers at Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary (-175) is being picked as the favorite over Philadelphia (+155) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-125 money on the over, +105 on the under).
The Flames are 19-12 straight up (SU) and have netted moneyline bettors 5.1 units this year. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the NHL so far this season, is a welcomed improvement compared to what the team managed during the 2017-18 season (37-45). Through 31 regular season matches, 15 of its games have gone over the total, while an additional 15 have gone under and just one has pushed. Thus far, the team is 10-5 SU at home.
Calgary has converted on 21.7 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 16th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.2 percent of all penalties.
Calgary, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.7 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over its past five games. The team has had to kill penalties for 9.8 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
With a .894 save percentage and 22.5 saves per game, Mike Smith (11-8-1) has been the top goalkeeper for the Flames this year. If they choose to give him a breather, however, the team may turn to David Rittich (9-6-6 record, .922 save percentage, 2.29 goals against average).
The Flames will continue to rely on offensive production from Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Gaudreau (39 points) is up to 12 goals and 27 assists and has recorded two or more points in 11 different games this year. Monahan has 18 goals and 17 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 21 games.
In the other locker room, Philadelphia is 12-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. 18 of its matches have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under the total and none have pushed. As the away team, Philadelphia is 7-7 SU so far.
Philadelphia has converted on just 13.6 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 32nd overall and it’s successfully killed off 71.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Philadelphia’s players have been penalized 4.3 times per game this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties 10.4 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Brian Elliott (.911 save percentage and 2.59 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Philadelphia. Elliott is averaging 25.0 saves per game and owns a 7-7 record.
For the visiting Flyers, the offense will run through Claude Giroux, who has 25 assists and 11 goals this season.
Philadelphia Flyers at Calgary Flames Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner \u2013 Flames, O/U \u2013 Over
Betting Trends
- The total has gone over in four of Philadelphia’s last five games.
- Seven of Calgary’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 6-1 overall in those games.
- Philadelphia skaters have accounted for the 10th-most hits in the league (23.5 per game).
