Calgary Flames vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 10/20/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Calgary Flames vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Friday, October 20, 2023

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Flames (-154) Blue Jackets (+125)

The Calgary Flames (1-1-1) are on their way to Nationwide Arena on Friday where they will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets (1-2-0). The moneyline on this matchup has the Flames at -154 while the Blue Jackets open at +125. The betting total comes in at 7.

The Calgary Flames had a decent effort after finishing in a 2-2 tie against the Capitals in their previous contest . The Flames could have played much better offensively in this game. In the game, they tallied a score on 2 out of the 40 shots they tried. They also had 5 power play opportunities and netted 1 goal. Calgary garnered 6 minutes in the box for this matchup.

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While at even strength, the Flames have conceded 10 goals while earning 6 on offense. Calgary Flames opponents have earned 10 power play opportunities (27th in the league) and have scored 0 goals in those attempts. In relation to scoring goals, the Calgary Flames have earned 9 goals (18th in the league) so far this year and have given up 10. Calgary has taken 98 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.2%. For the current season, they have 3 points and their points % is .500. The Flames have had 89 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .888. Calgary skates onto the rink with 11 power play chances and they have notched 3 goals out of those attempts, giving them a rate of 27.27%.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Daniel Vladar. The opposition has been able to score 145 goals against Vladar in his pro career and his goals against average per game is 2.87. Vladar has taken the ice for 55 games throughout his hockey career. He has a save percentage of .898 during his 3,027 mins guarding the cage. He has accumulated an overall mark of 29-14-8 and he started in 47 games. For his professional hockey career, Vladar has accounted for 23 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .489. Vladar has had 1,424 shots against him and has accrued 1,279 saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Columbus squared up with the Red Wings in a game where the Blue Jackets went home in defeat by a tally of 4-0. They had 4 power play attempts in this one but weren't able to score a goal. The Blue Jackets notched 0 goals of the 23 shots on goal they were seeking.

So far this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned a total of 7 goals, 2 points, as well as a points percentage of .333. They have allowed 11 goals to be scored by of a combination of 8 goals at even strength and 3 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blue Jackets have earned 6 goals at even strength and 1 goal (26th in the NHL) while having more men on the ice. They have recorded 9 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 11.11%. Columbus has put up 77 shots (23rd in the league) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 9.09%, while allowing the opposition 107 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 72.73% on their oppositions 11 power play chances, and their save percentage is 89.7%.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Elvis Merzlikins patrolling the crease. Teams are averaging 3.12 goals per game and he has yielded 431 goals in total. Merzlikins' quality start rate sits at 48.9% and he has 68 quality starts in his NHL career. He got the starting nod in 139 games and has been on the ice for 8,290 mins. Merzlikins has earned a career mark of 56-63-22 and has participated in 152 games. He has accounted for 4,182 saves out of 4,613 shots taken, which gives him a save % of .907.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Calgary (-154)

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