The Scotiabank Saddledome will be hosting an East-West matchup as the New York Islanders square off against the Calgary Flames. It’s the final time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 11, and fans at home will be able to view it live on Sportsnet.
New York Islanders at Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary (-175) is currently favored over New York (+155), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -105 for the over and -115 on the under.
Calgary is 34-35 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team managed during the 2016-17 season (45-37). 34 of the team’s 69 games have gone under the total, while 33 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team’s 14-19 SU at home this year.
The Flames have converted on just 18.0 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 25th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 13th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.1 percent of all penalties.
The Flames, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.4 times per game overall this season, and 5.0 per game over their last ten outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for 12.2 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Sporting a .921 save percentage and 29.0 saves per game, Mike Smith (24 wins, 23 losses, and six OT losses) has been the top option in goal for the Flames this season. If Calgary decides to rest him, however, the team could turn to David Rittich (9-9-9 record, .908 save percentage, 2.83 goals against average).
Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will each spearhead the attack for the Flames. Gaudreau (77 points) has tallied 20 goals and 57 assists and has recorded multiple points on 21 different occasions this year. Monahan has 30 goals and 30 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 39 games.
On the other side of the ice, New York is 29-39 straight up (SU) and has lost 10.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 40 of its games have gone over the total, while 25 have gone under and just three have pushed. The Islanders are 13-23 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Islanders have converted on 20.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully killed off 74.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
New York’s skaters have been whistled for penalties only 3.3 times per game this season, and 1.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 4.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jaroslav Halak (.908 save percentage and 3.23 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for New York. Halak is averaging 30.1 saves per game and owns an 18-29-6 record.
For the visiting Islanders, the offense will be facilitated through Mathew Barzal (18 goals, 51 assists) and John Tavares (31 goals, 36 assists).
New York Islanders at Calgary Flames Betting Picks
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Two of New York’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 3-3 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone over in three of Calgary’s last five games.
New York has managed 30.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Calgary is averaging 36.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
The majority (58.6 percent) of New York’s wins have come by two or more goals and the team is 17-22 overall in games decided by at least two scores. 15 of Calgary’s wins (44.1 percent) have been decided by two or more goals.
New York skaters have given out the league’s ninth-most hits per game (22.9).
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