Montreal Canadiens vs Calgary Flames Prediction, 3/16/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Montreal Canadiens vs Calgary Flames

Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024

Location: Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB

TV: Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Canadiens (+132) Flames (-162)

Scotiabank Saddledome is where the Calgary Flames (32-29-5) will meet the Montreal Canadiens (25-30-11) on Saturday. The moneyline on this matchup has Montreal at +132 while Calgary is priced at -162. The total comes in at 7.

The Montreal Canadiens will look to clean up some issues after taking a 2-1 defeat to the Bruins their last time on the ice. Montreal accounted for 8 mins in the box in this matchup. Additionally, they had 3 power play chances but weren't able to score. The Canadiens didn't have a great showing offensively in the defeat. While out there on the ice, they converted 1 of the 19 shots they put on net.

Get all of our NHL Expert Picks

Montreal Canadiens opponents have amassed 225 power play tries (4th in professional hockey) and have scored 54 goals in those attempts. The Canadiens have had 2,191 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .897. Montreal has taken 1,857 shots and holds a shot percentage of 9.7%. While at even strength, the Canadiens have given up 171 goals while earning 140 when they are on offense. Montreal comes into the game with 214 power play chances and they have tallied 40 goals during those chances, giving them a percentage of 18.69%. For the current campaign, they have scored 61 points and their points percentage sits at .462. When talking about their goal scoring prowess, the Montreal Canadiens have tallied 180 goals (27th in the NHL) over the course of the season and have given up 225.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Sam Montembeault. The opposition has scored 423 goals versus Montembeault in his NHL career and his goals against average per game is 3.39. Montembeault has been in goal for 135 games throughout his professional hockey career. His save percentage currently sits at .898 during his 7,481 minutes in the crease. He has amassed an overall record of 46-57-18 and he has started in 119 games. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Montembeault is sitting with 62 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .521. Montembeault has had 4,146 shot attempts taken against him and has garnered 3,723 total saves.

In their last game, Calgary squared up with the Golden Knights in an outing where the Flames ended up with the win by a final score of 4-1. They had 2 opportunities on the power play in this one but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Flames recorded 4 goals of the 37 shots on goal they pursued.

Calgary has attempted 2,058 shots (14th in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 10.01%, while allowing their opponents 1,990 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 83.84% on their opponents 198 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 89.5%. They have recorded 206 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play rate of 14.08%. The Flames have scored 177 goals at even strength and 29 goals (30th in professional hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have permitted 209 goals to be scored by way of 177 goals at even strength and 32 goals while they were shorthanded. During this campaign, the Calgary Flames have earned a total of 206 goals, 69 points, and a points percentage of .523.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Jacob Markstrom defending the net. Markstrom has compiled a career mark of 214-190-57 and has participated in 478 contests. Markstrom's rate of quality starts comes in at 53.1% and he has qualified for 245 quality starts in his NHL career. He has racked up 12,465 saves out of the 13,707 shots tried, giving him a save % of .909. His opposition is averaging 2.72 goals/game and he has relinquished 1,242 goals overall. He has been a starter 461 games and his ice time sits at 27,442 minutes.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Calgary (-162)

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