Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames Prediction, 12/31/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames

Date: Saturday, December 31, 2022

Location: Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Canucks (+145) Flames (-175)

Scotiabank Saddledome is where the Calgary Flames (17-13-7) will take on the Vancouver Canucks (16-16-3) on Saturday. The odds on this game have Vancouver at +145 and Calgary is sitting at -175. The betting total comes in at 7.

The Vancouver Canucks will look to clean up some issues after taking a 4-2 loss against the Jets in their previous outing. The Canucks had a rough night on the offensive side of the ice in this loss. While out there on the ice, they tallied a score on 2 of the 22 shots they tried. They also had 2 chances with the advantage but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. Vancouver had 8 penalty mins in this matchup.

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While at even strength, the Canucks let the opposition score 100 goals while scoring 90 on the offensive side of the ice. Vancouver Canucks opponents have amassed 104 power play opportunities (28th in the league) and have scored 34 goals in those chances. In reference to their scoring, the Vancouver Canucks have earned 120 goals (8th in the National Hockey League) so far this year and have allowed 134. Vancouver has tried 1,043 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 11.5%. For the current campaign, they have recorded 35 points and their points % is .500. The Canucks thus far have had 1,141 shots taken against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .883. Vancouver has tallied 116 power play chances and they have tallied 30 goals out of those attempts, earning them a rate of 25.86%.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Spencer Martin. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Martin has 14 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .519. He has a save percentage of .899 in his 1,649 minutes played. Martin has seen 882 shots taken against him and has gathered 793 total saves. The opposition has notched 89 goals against Martin in his pro hockey career and his goals against average is 3.24. He has compiled an overall mark of 14-7-5 and he started in 27 games. Martin has been involved in 28 games during his pro hockey career.

In their last outing, Calgary faced the Kraken in a matchup where the Flames ended up with the win by a score of 3-2. They had 4 attempts on the power play in this game and notched 1 out of those tries. The Flames converted 3 goals of the 44 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Flames are sitting with 89 goals at even strength and 24 goals (19th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. Calgary has taken 1,294 shots (2nd in hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 8.73%, while allowing the opposition 1,039 shots. Over the course of the season, the Calgary Flames have 113 goals, 41 points, as well as a points percentage of .554. They have allowed 110 goals to be scored by of a combination of 83 goals at even strength and 27 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a total of 123 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 19.51%. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 80.58% on their opponents 139 chances on the power play, and their save percentage is 89.4%.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Jacob Markstrom in the crease. He has recorded 10,588 saves out of the 11,625 shots taken, which gives him a rate of .911. Markstrom holds a lifetime mark of 180-161-47 and has participated in 403 games. He was named a starter in 387 games and has accumulated 23,087 minutes. Markstrom's quality start percentage is 52.7% and he has earned 204 quality starting assignments in his pro career. Teams are averaging 2.70 goals/game and he has conceded 1,037 goals in total.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Calgary (-175)

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