NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Flames vs. Red Wings (February 9)

Flames vs. Red Wings Odds

The Calgary Flames started the second half of the season with a road loss against the Rangers, but will look to get back in the win column against the Detroit Red Wings. Prior to the break, the Flames played mediocre hockey. Calgary is 5-3-2 in its past 10 games.

Detroit has similarly played underwhelming hockey. It lost to the Oilers on Tuesday, and has gone 4-5-1 in its past 10 games. In a season many expected to be a drastic improvement from last year, the Red Wings are clinging to the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Here’s a look at the odds, as well as our prediction for the Calgary Flames vs. Detroit Red Wings.

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Calgary Flames

Jonathan Huberdeau has been a bit of a disappointment, but Nazem Kadri has been a great signing so far. In unsurprising fashion, both Elias Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli have given Calgary a lot of firepower.

While the schedule hasn’t been kind to Calgary, the charts certainly have. The Flames have the seventh-best offense with a 53.55 xGF% (expected goals), but are middle of the road in high danger chances.

Defense has been the Flames strong suit this year as they are only allowing 3.02 goals per game and are fifth in expected goals against. However, the goaltending has let them down a bit.

What is going on with Jacob Markstrom? Last year’s Vezina nominee is riding a major struggle bus and has posted an .892 SV% (worse .887% since January 1) along with +0.1 goals saved above expected (GSAx). Dan Vladar has won his past five starts with a .904 SV% and a -2.2 GSAx, so I'm curious to see if he'll start Thursday.

Detroit Red Wings

You’d think the Red Wings would be building off their semi-impressive season last year wouldn’t you? Well, after winning the Calder Trophy last year, Moritz Seider took a step back. Lucas Raymond is playing up to par, but he could be better. However, Detroit has received exceptional production from captain Dylan Larkin and Dominik Kubalik.

Detroit has had a hard time generating a legitimate even strength attack with a 24th-ranked 46.18 xGF%. Additionally, the Red Wings have generated the second-to-least amount of high danger chances.

They’re a hard team to figure out on the defensive end. They allow a decent amount of goals due to poor goaltending (3.31), but are ninth in expected goals against.

Ville Husso has taken the blue paint for the majority of the season. The Finnish netminder was expected to put the Wings over the hump, but he's had a hard time in his first season in the Motor City with a .900 SV% and a -4.8 GSAx.

Flames vs. Red Wings Pick

In a game like this, I think the total is worth targeting. Calgary has a wonderful defense, but its goaltending is a major weakness. In its past five games, four have gone over six goals. The Flames have an efficient offense (though the powerplay is lacking), so I expect a few goals from Calgary.

The Red Wings have become a very untrustworthy team. They have a fairly poor penalty kill, a terrible goaltending situation and one of the least efficient offenses in the league. However, prior to their recent two games, Detroit had managed to net over three goals in seven of eight games. The Red Wings aren’t to be trusted, but with Calgary’s goaltending, the path is there for Detroit to score a couple goals.

We have two teams that struggle with consistency with keeping the puck out of their own net. With that in mind, I think the over is the way to go.

Pick: Over 6

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