New Jersey Devils vs Calgary Flames Prediction, 12/9/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New Jersey Devils vs Calgary Flames

Date: Saturday, December 9, 2023

Location: Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB

TV: Sportsnet

The New Jersey Devils (12-10-1) are hitting the road to Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday where they will go up against the Calgary Flames (10-12-3).

The New Jersey Devils went home feeling good about their game by earning a 6-5 win against the Canucks in the last game they played. New Jersey accrued 8 mins in the box in this matchup. The Devils had a good offensive performance in the victory. Additionally, they had 2 power play attempts and were able to notch 1 goal. In the matchup, they earned a goal on 6 of the 32 shots they put on net.

With respect to scoring goals, the New Jersey Devils have earned 85 goals (7th in the National Hockey League) so far this season and have conceded 87. For the current campaign, they sit with 25 points and their points percentage is sitting at .543. New Jersey steps onto the ice with 77 power play opportunities and they have scored 28 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 36.36%. When at even strength, the Devils have given up 67 goals while notching 57 as an offensive unit. New Jersey has attempted 759 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 11.2%. The Devils thus far have had 679 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .872. New Jersey Devils opponents have amassed 80 power play tries (17th in professional hockey) and have come away with 20 goals in those attempts.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Vitek Vanecek. Opponents have notched 368 goals versus Vanecek in his career and his average for goals against per game is 2.69. Vanecek has taken the ice for 147 games over the course of his pro hockey career. His save percentage is .906 for his 8,199 minutes on the ice. He has an overall mark of 83-38-14 and he has gotten the start in 138 games. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Vanecek is sitting with 73 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .529. Vanecek has had 3,895 shots taken against him and has amassed 3,527 saves.

When they were on the ice last, Calgary faced the Wild in an outing where the Flames took a loss by a tally of 5-2. They had 3 power play opportunities in this contest but didn't put one in the back of the net. The Flames recorded 2 goals out of the 30 shots on goal they tried.

Calgary has tried 795 shots (8th in hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 9.18%, while allowing the other team 718 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 83.75% on their oppositions 80 power play tries, and their save percentage is 88.3%. They have a total of 81 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 12.35%. The Flames have scored 63 goals at even strength and 10 goals (28th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have permitted 84 goals to be scored by way of 71 goals at even strength and 13 goals while they had less men on the ice. So far this year, the Calgary Flames have 73 goals, 23 points, and a points percentage of .460.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see Daniel Vladar protecting the goal. The opposition is averaging 2.95 goals per game and he has relinquished 171 goals overall. Vladar's rate of quality starts is 45.5% and he has made 25 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He got the starting nod in 55 games and has accumulated 3,479 minutes. Vladar is sitting with a career record of 33-17-9 and has played in 63 games. He is sitting with 1,465 saves out of the 1,636 shots tried, which gives him a rate of .895.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New Jersey

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