NHL Odds, Pick & Preview: Blue Jackets vs. Flames (February 15)
Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Milan Lucic
- The Flames are favored on Tuesday night against Columbus after beating the Blue Jackets just a few games ago.
- Calgary's offense has been clicking lately, living up to the team's analytics all season long.
- Continue reading for a full breakdown of this matchup, including a betting pick.
Blue Jackets vs. Flames Odds
| Blue Jackets Odds | +205 |
| Flames Odds | -255 |
| Over/Under | 6 (-110/-110) |
| Time | 9 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Metropolitan Division's fifth-place Columbus Blue Jackets continue their road trip Tuesday as they travel to Calgary to take on the Pacific Division's second-place Flames. This will be the second meeting between these two teams this season, as the Flames blew out Columbus 6-0 just a few weeks ago in Columbus.
The Flames played their most dominant game of the season in Columbus, outshooting the Blue Jackets 62-23. With the Flames returning home for this matchup, can we expect to see a similar result?
Blue Jackets Struggle Against Good Teams
The Blue Jackets come into this game sitting at the .500 mark. While Columbus is riding a three-game win streak, the analytics indicate that regression is around the corner.
Columbus ranks 30th in the league in 5-on-5 expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA) and 21st in average expected goal value of opposing 5-on-5 shot attempts. Regression should also be coming soon for projected starting goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.
Merzlikins has won three-straight games and has brought his save percentage up to 0.906. While he has taken advantage of a soft spot in the schedule with wins over Montreal and Buffalo, Merzlikins ranks just 28th among starters in 5-on-5 goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx).
Columbus has the tendency to prove the saying "when It rains, it pours" is sometimes true. We have seen Columbus get rocked multiple times over the past month when facing good teams. It has given up nine goals to the Panthers, five to the Penguins, six to the Flames and eight to the Panthers again.
Flames Clicking on Offense
The Flames are one of the hottest teams in hockey right now (pun intended). Calgary has won six-straight contests and eight of its last nine.
This surge up the Pacific standings has been ignited by the offense, as it has put up four or more goals in seven of those eight victories. Over those eight wins, Calgary is averaging 4.75 goals per game.
The offense is clicking on all cylinders right now, and it's positive regression that has been due to the team given its performance all season long. Calgary ranks fourth in the league this season in 5-on-5 expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF).
The Flames this week also acquired forward Tyler Toffoli from the Montreal Canadiens. While It is uncertain if he will suit up against Columbus, that could be an added bonus for Calgary's chances as he adds another scoring boost to the Flames' middle-six.
Blue Jackets vs. Flames Pick
I do not see the Flames' offense slowing down anytime soon. Not only did they beat Columbus 6-0 a few weeks ago, but they outshot them at almost a 3:1 rate.
While I do not anticipate them to absolutely manhandle Columbus again, I think Calgary can easily reach four or more goals for the sixth straight game.
Pick: Calgary Flames TT o3.5 (-140) | Play up to (-145)
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