Calgary Flames vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 3/7/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Calgary Flames vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Thursday, March 7, 2024

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: Bally Sports Sun

Odds/Point Spread: Flames (+120) Lightning (-148)

Amalie Arena is the location where the Tampa Bay Lightning (33-24-6) will compete against the Calgary Flames (30-26-5) on Thursday. The moneyline on this contest has the Flames at +120 and the Lightning open at -148. The over/under has been set at 7.

The Calgary Flames were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 4-2 loss to the Kraken in the last game they played. Calgary had 32 mins in the box in this contest. Moreover, they had 4 power play opportunities and were able to score 1 goal. The Flames had an offensive game that was below their expectations in the defeat. While out there on the ice, they were able to notch a goal on 2 of the 37 shots they looked to score on.

Get all of our NHL Betting Picks

Calgary Flames opponents have earned 186 power play opportunities (18th in hockey) and have scored 31 goals in those chances. The Flames so far have had 1,830 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .898. Calgary has taken 1,915 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.0%. While at even strength, the Flames have conceded 156 goals while getting 163 themselves. Calgary has accumulated 191 power play opportunities and they have scored 28 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 14.66%. For the year, they have recorded 65 points and their points percentage is .533. When it comes to their scoring capabilities, the Calgary Flames have notched 191 goals (16th in hockey) for the year and have surrendered 187.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Jacob Markstrom. For his career, Markstrom has accrued 245 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .534. He has a save percentage of .910 in his 27,322 minutes played. Markstrom has seen 13,654 shots taken against him and has amassed 12,420 total saves. The opposition has racked up 1,234 goals against Markstrom in his pro career and his goals against rate is 2.71. He has accumulated a mark of 213-189-57 and he was named the starter in 459 games. Markstrom has been in goal for 476 matchups during his professional hockey career.

When they took the ice last, Tampa Bay squared up with the Canadiens in an outing where the Lightning got the tie by a mark of 3-3. They had 2 attempts on the power play in this outing but weren't able to score a goal. The Lightning had 3 goals of the 30 shots on goal they took.

Tampa Bay has put up 1,857 shots (21st in pro hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.36%, while allowing the opposition 1,863 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 80.11% on their opponents 176 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 88.6%. They have earned 188 chances on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 28.72%. The Lightning have 157 goals at even strength and 54 goals (2nd in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have permitted 213 goals to be scored by of a combination of 178 goals at even strength and 35 goals while they were shorthanded. During this campaign, the Tampa Bay Lightning have accounted for 211 goals, 72 points, in addition to a points percentage of .571.

On the other side of the ice you are expected to see Andrei Vasilevskiy in net. Vasilevskiy is the owner of a lifetime record of 284-138-29 and has been in net for 462 contests. Vasilevskiy's rate of quality starts is 56.9% and he has 257 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has gathered 12,794 stops out of the 13,953 shots tried, which gives him a save % of .917. His opposition is averaging 2.56 goals per game and he has relinquished 1,159 goals in total. He got the starting nod in 452 games and has been on the ice for 27,160 minutes.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Calgary (+120)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here