Calgary Flames vs Minnesota Wild Prediction, 1/2/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Calgary Flames vs Minnesota Wild

Date: Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Location: Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN

TV: Bally Sports North

Odds/Point Spread: Flames (-106) Wild (-115)

The Calgary Flames (15-16-5) are hitting the road to Xcel Energy Center on Tuesday where they will take on the Minnesota Wild (16-15-4). The line on this contest has the Flames at -106 and the Wild are opening at -115. The total comes in at 7.

The Calgary Flames came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 4-3 victory over the Flyers in their previous game. Calgary garnered 8 penalty minutes in this matchup. In addition, they had 2 chances with the advantage but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. The Flames had a impressive offensive outing in the victory. In the game, they converted 4 of the 33 shots they put on net.

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When playing at even strength, the Flames have allowed 98 goals while having 93 as an offensive unit. Calgary Flames opponents have earned 114 power play opportunities (13th in professional hockey) and have come away with 18 goals in those attempts. In the matter of their scoring capabilities, the Calgary Flames have racked up 107 goals (23rd in the league) for the year and have conceded 116. Calgary has tried 1,145 shots and holds a shot percentage of 9.3%. For the year, they have tallied 35 points and their points percentage is sitting at .486. The Flames have had 1,065 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .891. Calgary skates onto the rink with 116 power play opportunities and they have added 14 goals out of those attempts, giving them a percentage of 12.07%.

The man in net for this game is Jacob Markstrom. Opponents have been able to score 1,191 goals versus Markstrom in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per game is 2.72. Markstrom has taken the ice for 458 games during his NHL career. His save percentage sits at .909 for his 26,279 minutes between the pipes. He has amassed a mark of 201-183-57 and he started in 441 games. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Markstrom has accounted for 232 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .526. Markstrom has seen 13,107 shots against him and he has 11,916 saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Minnesota went up against the Jets in a game where the Wild took the loss by a score of 3-2. They had 1 attempt on the power play in this outing and tallied 1 on that attempt. The Wild had 2 goals out of the 26 shots on goal they pursued.

The Wild have 85 goals at even strength and 22 goals (21st in hockey) while having a power play advantage. Minnesota has taken 1,060 shots (24th in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 10.09%, while allowing their opponents 1,060 shots. On the year, the Minnesota Wild have 107 goals, 36 points, in addition to a points percentage of .514. They have granted a total of 111 goals to be scored by way of 77 goals at even strength and 34 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a total of 118 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 18.64%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 72.58% on their opponents 124 tries on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 89.5%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Filip Gustavsson in goal. Opponents are averaging 2.62 goals per contest and he has relinquished 222 goals in total. Gustavsson's rate of quality starts sits at 59.8% and he has made 49 quality starting assignments in his career. He got the starting nod in 82 contests and has played for a total of 5,090 mins. Gustavsson has a career mark of 42-31-12 and has been in net for 88 contests. He has tallied 2,415 saves out of 2,637 shots tried, giving him a save % of .916.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Calgary (-106)

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