NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Stars vs Flames (Wednesday, November 1)
Via Curtis Comeau/Getty Images. Pictured: Calgary Flames Goalie Jacob Markstrom
Stars vs. Flames Odds
| Stars Odds | -130 |
| Flames Odds | +108 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -130 / +106 |
The Calgary Flames host the Dallas Stars on Wednesday evening in a Western Conference tilt.
These teams enter this contest in opposite form with Dallas winning five of its first seven games while Calgary rides a five-game losing skid.
Will the Flames finally bounce back, or can the Stars keep things rolling on the road?
Here's a look at the Stars vs Flames odds, as well as my betting pick and prediction.
Goaltender Jake Oettinger has played a key role in Dallas' early-season success as he is once again affirming everyone's high hopes for his future in this league.
Through five starts, Oettinger is 4-0-1 with a .940 SV% and 1.74 GAA.
You may be surprised to learn that Oettinger only ranks around the 50th percentile among starting goaltenders in Goals Saved Above Expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5.
However, that ranking has nothing to do with his play; rather the blue line in front of him is suppressing High-Danger Scoring Chances at an elite level. At 5-on-5, the Stars rank fifth in the league in Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
The offense has been equally as impressive, but with that combination of defense and goaltending, it's not shocking that there have been five or fewer total goals scored in five of the Stars' seven games.
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Speaking of strong blue-line play, Calgary's defense has been the one bright spot in an otherwise troubling start to the campaign. The Flames rank in the top half of the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.
Meanwhile, the offense has struggled to get things going, ranking just 23rd in xGF/60 at 5-on-5. That's going to be problematic against a defense and goaltending combination of Dallas' pedigree.
With this combination of poor offensive play and a solid blue line, there have been five or fewer total goals scored in three of Calgary's past five games.
Goaltender Jacob Markstrom is another key variable to consider on Wednesday.
While he is 1-5-1 to begin the campaign, he has held the course relatively well despite the lack of help in front of him as he possesses a .901 SV% and 2.88 GAA.
Stars vs. Flames
Betting Pick & Prediction
Markstrom could see some success against Dallas, a team he typically fares well against. Over his past 12 starts against the Stars, he is 6-3-2 with a .908 SV% and 2.51 GAA.
As long as he and the Flames blue line can quell a strong Stars offense, then we should expect Oettinger and the Dallas defense to hold up their end of the bargain and keep this game below the total of 5.5.
Finally, special teams should not be too big of a concern as both teams rank 20th or lower in Power Play Percentage but in the top five in Penalty Kill Percentage.
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