Tuesday NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: How to Bet Flames vs. Predators (April 26)

Flames vs. Predators Odds

Down in Music City, the Nashville Predators host the Calgary Flames in a critical matchup.

Nashville looks to clinch a playoff spot with a win, but it won’t be easy, as the Flames aren’t an easy fight. However, the Preds have their number, as they’ve won both previous matchups in overtime. That means we should expect a close battle in Bridgestone Arena.

The Flames have not slowed down one bit, as they cruise into the spring classic. They’ve gone 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and secured the Pacific Division title.

Nashville is looking to clinch a playoff spot on Tuesday with a win. The Preds could’ve secured a spot, but lost in overtime to Minnesota with 1.3 seconds left in its last game.

It hasn’t been an easy stretch for the Preds, as they’ve played .500 hockey with a 5-4-1 record in their last 10 games.

Flames Gush With Talent

The depth of Calgary is eye-popping. Sometimes you watch the Flames play and you gaze in awe of how talented they are.

They have two 40-goal scorers in Matthew Tkachuk and Elias Lindholm, with Johnny Gaudreau not far behind with 39. Andrew Mangiapane has also crushed his career high, as he has 35 goals.

This team can score with the best of them, and they’re bound to put fear in any team that faces them in the postseason.

With such a deep and talented roster, the Flames typically dominate play. Scoring 3.58 goals per game, they rank fourth in expected goals with a 55.87 xGF%. They do a very good job at generating high-danger chances, and are the eighth-best team on the power play, scoring at a 23.56% clip.

Defensively, Calgary is definitely one of the best. Topping it off with elite goaltending, it’s hard for opposing teams to get pucks through.

The Flames allow a third-best 2.48 goals per game, and do a wonderful job at limiting high-danger chances. When down a man, they remain unphased, with the fifth-best penalty kill at nearly 84%.

Since Dan Vladar started in their last game against Vancouver, expect Jacob Markstrom to take the net after a good four days of rest.

The Swede has come into his own after a disappointing first year in Cowtown. He’s posting elite numbers now, with a .922 SV%, a +12.2 GSAx (Goals Saved Above Expected) and a league-leading nine shutouts.

Preds Continue Surprising Campaign

Nashville certainly surprised a lot of people this year with what it was able to do.

It mainly has to do with certain players playing above and beyond expectations. Matt Duchene and Filip Forsberg have scored 40 goals for the first time in their careers, captain Roman Josi is having a historic season for a defenseman with 91 points and Ryan Johansen is back to producing well.

For what was considered a weakness, Nashville has turned its offense into a massive strength. With all its firepower up front and on the back end, it scores 3.16 goals per game, with a decent expected goals rate of 50.01 xGF%.

The Preds don’t generate a ton of high-danger chances though (bottom 5), but they make up for it with a top-notch power play, scoring at a 24.5% rate.

Nashville has always built a reputation for itself as a defensive minded-first team. While this year is no different, the Preds could be better, allowing just under three goals per game.

They are elite at stopping other teams from creating high-danger chances, but they need to be better on the PK, with only a 78.9% success rate.

In the midst of trying to secure its playoff spot, I’d assume Nashville puts Juuse Saros in net. Saros has had no shortage of work this season — with 66 starts — but he gives the Predators their best chance to win.

The Finnish net-minder has had a stellar season, posting a .918 SV% and a +23.8 GSAx.

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Flames vs. Predators Pick

This match will certainly be a battle. Considering both times these teams faced off resulted in a 3-2 victory in overtime for Nashville, I expect it to be a tight checking game with a playoff atmosphere.

While the Flames are a deadly team on the road, the Preds are equally good at home, which makes me believe we could see another game head into overtime.

As much as I want to believe Calgary will take its foot off the gas, I can’t see a Daryl Sutter-coached team do such a thing, especially if it means preventing a team into the dance.

I’m very confident in both teams, but I think we will see a repeat of previous matchups. I can see Markstrom and Saros stealing the show, especially since Saros has a lot to play for.

Pick: Under 6 (+105)