NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Flames vs Canucks (Saturday, March 23)
Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Calgary Flames Center Elias Lindholm and Vancouver Canucks Center Teddy Blueger
- The Calgary flames take on the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night at Rogers Arena.
- The Canucks are -180 favorites on the moneyline, with a game total of over/under 6.
- NHL expert Grant White makes the case for a +380 bet in this clash.
Flames vs. Canucks Odds
| Flames Odds | +150 |
| Canucks Odds | -180 |
| Over / Under | 6 -120o / +100u |
Here's everything you need to know about the Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, March 23 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Two intra-divisional foes with playoff aspirations renew their rivalry on Saturday night. The Pacific Division-leading Vancouver Canucks remain one of the top teams in the NHL. Although the Flames traded away many of their movable pieces ahead of the trade deadline, they remain in the postseason in the Western Conference.
Heading into tonight's clash, Calgary sits 10 points back of the final wild-card spot with 14 games left to play. Granted, the Canucks keeping their playoff hopes alive by the faintest of margins, but they've taken to the ice with renewed optimism lately.
Still, the Canucks can match Calgary's level of play. Their on-ice results correlate with solid underlying analytics, implying that Saturday's tilt will be a clash of titans.
Let's get to our Flames vs. Canucks prediction and pick.
Teams always seem to bring their best for Hockey Night in Canada showdowns, but the Flames don't need the extra motivation.
Calgary's skaters have elevated their form more recently, presumably auditioning to keep their spots for next season. Combined with Jacob Markstrom's anticipated progression, the Flames are poised to maintain that effort toward the end of the campaign.
Over the past few weeks, the Flames have improved their metrics, but they are starting to light the ice on fire in both the attacking and defending zones. Calgary has outplayed its opponents in four of seven, but it has exceeded the 65.0% threshold in two of its past three.
Across that more modest sample, the Flames have out-chanced their opponents in high-danger chances by a 32-27 margin, for a 54.2% rating. We're expecting that momentum to follow them into Rogers Arena in Vancouver.
Moreover, after a period of underperformance, we have Jacob Markstrom primed for progression. The Flames netminder has posted a below-average save percentage in six of his past eight. Altogether, Markstrom has an 87.8% save percentage over the eight-game sample, beneath his season-long benchmark of 91.0%.
The Flames are poised for a run up the standings as they maintain their current form and get improved goaltending our of Markstrom.
Vancouver has asserted itself as a top contender in the Western Conference. The Canucks lead the Pacific Division with 96 points in 70 games played, translating to a 68.6% points percentage, tops in the NHL.
And with an improved on-ice product, we could see them ratchet that even higher over the final few weeks of the season.
Since Feb. 24, the Canucks have been one of the best analytics teams in the NHL. That timeframe represents an 11-game stretch for Vancouver, outplaying its opponents in all but two of those contests.
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More impressively, the Canucks have compiled a 57.1% expected goals-for rating across the entirety of the sample but have found a new gear as they settle in for a nine-game homestand. Tonight's battle against the Flames is the sixth of those contests.
Playing in their friendly confines has afforded the Canucks many luxuries, and that's reflected in their most recent performances. Vancouver has posted expected goals-for ratings of 76.7% and 67.3% in each of its last two outings. Cumulatively, they've held those opponents to seven high-danger and 21 scoring chances. Conversely, they've attempted 24 and 52, respectively, illustrating their dominance in both ends of the ice.
The Canucks will continue to benefit from playing at home as they conclude the month of March in Vancouver.
Flames vs. Canucks
Betting Pick & Prediction
We're expecting the Canucks and Flames to be at their best tonight, and that should result in a tightly contested battle. Both teams have saved their best for last, amplifying their production and performances over the final few weeks of the regular season. And the betting line reflects that.
Vancouver opened as -190 chalk at most sportsbooks and has been bought down to as low as -177 at some shops.
As implied, the gambling market likes the Flames' chances tonight; however, we also can't discount the Canucks' current form or home-ice advantage. As a result, we're betting that this one gets sorted out in overtime or a shootout.
The best number available resides at FanDuel Sportsbook, but we would play this at +350 or better.
Pick: 60-minute tie +380 (FanDuel Sportsbook)
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