Friday NHL Odds, Pick, Prediction: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Calgary Flames Betting Preview
Gerry Thomas/Getty Images. Pictured: Jacob Markstrom
- The struggling Calgary Flames take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in Friday's NHL showdown.
- The Flames have struggled of late, while the Maple Leafs are 6-2-1 on home ice at Scotiabank Arena.
- Pat Pickens breaks down the contest below and explains why he's backing the road underdog.
Maple Leafs vs. Flames Odds
| Flames Odds | +130 |
| Maple Leafs Odds | -150 |
| Over/Under | 5.5 |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Flames have lost two straight and will take on the Maple Leafs, who are 6-2-1 in nine games at Scotiabank Arena this season, in the second of back-to-back games.
The Maple Leafs and Flames rank fourth and fifth in the NHL in 5-on-5 Expected Goals Percentage according to Natural Stat Trick. But Calgary ranks second in Goals-For Percentage (61.2), and Toronto is 19th (49.3).
Calgary Flames
Calgary was riding a 10-game point streak until consecutive defeats at the hands of the San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens. The Flames are 5-2 away from Scotiabank Saddledome and have not lost consecutive road games this season.
Calgary has the best road 5-on-5 goal differential of any team in the NHL (66.7 percent) and has been buoyed by goalie Jacob Markstrom, who has a 1.81 Goals-Against Average, .935 Save Percentage and boasts a league-best Goals-Saved Above Average (9.5) in 11 starts. The Flames have the NHL's best Team Save Percentage (.949) at 5-on-5.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto is 6-1 in its past seven games despite missing second-line center John Tavares, who has been sidelined with a lower-body injury. Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said he is day-to-day and could play against Calgary on Friday.
Despite Toronto's recent hot stretch, it has been unlucky so far this season, with a -1 goal differential due mostly to the NHL's fifth-worst shooting percentage at 5-on-5 (6.1). The Maple Leafs have the ninth-worst 5-on-5 PDO in the NHL (.989)
Flames vs. Maple Leafs Pick
Assuming Markstrom plays for a second straight night — backup Dan Vladar has only made two starts in 13 games — the Flames as a plus-money underdog seem like a great value pick.
Calgary laid an egg in the third period in Montreal on Thursday but should be flying in front of the boisterous crowd in Toronto on Friday. The Flames shouldn't lose a third game in a row.
Pick: Calgary ML (+130)
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