NHL Prediction, Odds, Preview: Flames vs Predators (Wednesday, November 22)
Via Curtis Comeaux/Getty Images. Pictured: Nashville Predators Left Wing Filip Forsberg (9) makes a pass in the second period of the Edmonton Oilers game versus the Nashville Predators on November 4, 2023 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB.
Flames vs. Predators Odds
| Flames Odds | -110 |
| Predators Odds | -110 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 +112/ -138 |
Here's everything you need to know about Flames vs. Predators on Wednesday, Nov. 22 — our expert NHL preview and prediction.
A battle between two sixth-place teams gets underway on Wednesday evening as the Nashville Predators host the Calgary Flames.
These teams just squared off a few weeks ago, with Calgary winning 4-2 at home.
Will the Flames take care of business once again, or can Nashville enact its revenge on home ice?
Let's preview the NHL odds, as well as my betting pick and prediction for Flames vs. Predators.
Calgary enters this contest amidst a stretch of high-scoring games with seven or more total goals scored in each of its past three contests. The offense has really picked up as the Flames are averaging 4.3 goals scored per game over that stretch.
However, the play at the blue line remains quite poor. This season, Calgary ranks 20th in goals allowed per game, and that's despite a penalty kill that ranks sixth in the league.
The defense can't be completely blamed for these poor outings though, as goaltender Jacob Markstrom has not been holding up his end of the bargain either. Over his past six starts, Markstrom is 3-2-1 with a .900 save percentage.
This season, he has allowed .103 Goals Above Expected per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, which ranks him 17th out of the 27 goaltenders to start at least 10 games.
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Nashville also enters this contest amidst a stretch of high-scoring hockey, with seven or more total goals scored in three of its past five games. The Preds scored four goals in each of their past two games as the offense continues to pick up.
At 5-on-5, the Predators rank 12th in the league in Expected Goals For per 60 minutes (xGF/60). This success is likely to continue against a leaky Flames blue line.
However, like Calgary's defense, Nashville's defense can't be trusted. This season, it ranks 21st in goals allowed per game and 30th on the penalty kill.
Goaltender Juuse Saros is the biggest headwind to the over cashing in this matchup, and he is far better than his .892 save percentage this season suggests. He will turn things around sooner rather than later, but that still doesn't change the fact that he can't be trusted at this moment.
Over his past six starts, Saros is 1-4 with a .863 save percentage and 4.11 GAA.
Flames vs. Predators
Betting Pick & Prediction
Saros' underlying metrics are even worse than Markstrom's. At 5-on-5, Saros ranks 26th out of the 27 goaltenders to start at least 10 games this year in Goals Saved Above Expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60).
These two clubs have been involved in higher-scoring games recently, and this trend likely continues on Wednesday night.
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Both offenses have been playing better while neither goaltender can be trusted at the moment.
At +112 at FanDuel, let's take a shot on seven or more total goals scored in Calgary's fourth straight game.
Pick: Over 6.5 (+112 at FanDuel | Play to +100)
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