The United Center will play host to an enticing clash as the Calgary Flames pay a visit to the Windy City to face the Chicago Blackhawks. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 2, and you can catch this Western Conference matchup live on Sportsnet West.
Calgary Flames at Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Calgary is 15-11 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 1.9 units this season. 13 of its games have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just one has pushed. The Flames are 7-6 SU on the road in 2018-19.
Calgary has converted on 20.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 76.9 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Calgary has been penalized just 3.4 times per game this season, 3.4 per game over its past five total, and 3.6 per game over its last five on the road. The team has had to kill penalties just 7.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .885 save percentage and 22.5 saves per game, Mike Smith (7-8-1) has been the top option in goal for Calgary this season. If head coach Bill Peters chooses to rest him, however, the team might turn to David Rittich (8-5-1 record, .924 save percentage, 2.21 goals against average).
Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Flames. Tkachuk (29 points) has tallied 12 goals and 17 assists, and has recorded two or more points seven times. Gaudreau has 10 goals and 19 assists to his name, and has logged a point in 17 games.
On the other side of the ice, Chicago is 9-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 27 regular season contests, 13 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the team’s 5-7 SU as the home team.
Chicago has converted on just 11.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places it in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 29th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.7 percent of all penalties.
Chicago players have been sent to the penalty box only 3.3 times per game this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.8 saves per game) has been the primary netminder in goal for Chicago. Crawford has five wins, 11 losses, and one OT loss to his name and has maintained a fairly-weak .901 save percentage and 3.18 goals against average this season.
Patrick Kane (13 goals, 17 assists) will pace the attack for the Blackhawks.
Calgary Flames vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their past five matchups.
Chicago has allowed 3.7 goals per game overall this season, but has given up 6.3 goals per matchup in its last three contests (the team is 0-3 SU over that stretch).
Seven of Calgary’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-2 in those games.
Calgary skaters recorded 20.0 hits per game last season, while the Hawks forced 16.8 hits per matchup.
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