Flames vs. Jets Odds, Preview, Prediction: Great Value Lies on Total
Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images
- The Flames take on the Jets in an NHL matchup on Friday evening.
- With the playoffs right around the corner, Calgary is expected to rest most of its big stars.
- Tony Sartori breaks down the matchup and offers up his best bet.
Flames vs. Jets Odds
| Flames Odds | -140 |
| Jets Odds | +115 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 (-110/-110) |
| Time | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Pacific Division's first-place Calgary Flames travel to Winnipeg to take on the Central Division's sixth-place Jets.
This is the third matchup between these two teams this season, as each of the first two meetings saw six or fewer total goals scored.
Will we see another low-scoring affair between these two teams, or can the goals pick up this time around?
Flames Expected to Rest Stars
The Calgary Flames enter this matchup on the second half of a back-to-back following Thursday's game against the Minnesota Wild. This game will now be Calgary's third in the last four nights, so we could see some very tired legs from this team.
Not only will we see tired legs, but we will see a thin roster, as I expect Calgary to sit all of its key players in order to rest up for the playoffs. There is no need to play the stars and risk an injury when the Flames have already clinched the first seed in the Pacific Division.
Since they are on the second half of a back-to-back, we can expect to see backup goaltender Daniel Vladar between the pipes for the Flames. Despite being the backup, Vladar has had a fine year for the Flames.
Vladar enters this matchup in good form, as he has allowed two or fewer goals in four of his last six starts, posting a 0.912 save percentage over that stretch.
Calgary's blue line should be able to give Vladar good protection, as the Flames currently rank third in the league in five-on-five expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA).
Jets' Hellebuyck Looking Solid
The Winnipeg Jets enter this matchup following Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Wednesday's game was yet another low-scoring affair for the Jets, as they have seen six or fewer total goals scored in four straight games and in nine of their last 14.
Connor Hellebuyck is the projected starting goaltender for the Jets in this game and is coming off of a very impressive performance against the powerhouse Avalanche. In that game, Hellebuyck stopped 30 of 31 shots for a 0.968 save percentage.
Hellebuyck has been solid all season, as he boasts a 0.910 save percentage and ranks 11th amongst starting goaltenders in five-on-five goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx). On home ice this season, Hellebuyck's save percentage rises to 0.915.
Additionally, Hellebuyck has been outstanding against the Flames this season, as he has stopped 62 of 66 shots for a spectacular 0.939 save percentage.
I do not expect Hellebuyck to get much goal support in this game either, as the Jets are averaging just 2.5 goals scored per game over their last six contests.
Flames vs. Jets Pick
I believe we are getting great value on this number because the Flames are starting a backup goaltender. However, Vladar has been more than competent this season.
The public will most likely be on the over, as both of these teams have a ton of talented forwards. However, I expect the Flames to healthy scratch all of their big guys prior to puck drop.
That being said, I would not take this total if the line drops to 5.5 before puck drop, though I do not expect it to do so.
Pick: Flames/Jets u6 (+100) | Play up to (-115)
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