Calgary Flames vs. Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Calgary Flames face the Carolina Hurricanes with both teams heading in opposite directions following the trade deadline. The Flames have a 31-27-5 record and notably traded away a handful of key contributors at the deadline. The Hurricanes have a 38-19-6 record and with seven wins in their last 10 games, they have the second-best record in the Metropolitan Division and made the biggest move at the trade deadline by acquiring star forward Jake Guentzel. Both teams look to improve in the playoff picture and the upcoming game should be a good one as a result.
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Flames defense has let them down this season
The Flames are having a rough season despite their offense stepping up and scoring 3.18 goals per game. Blake Coleman, Nazem Kadri, and Yegor Sharangovich have scored 73 goals and 74 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has been great as well. Jonathan Huberdeau, Andrew Mangiapane, and Mikael Granlund have combined for 35 goals and 73 assists while defensemen MacKenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson have added 22 goals and 46 assists from the point to open up the offense.
Make it 26 on the year for Sharky �� pic.twitter.com/cO7AZDBPwY
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 9, 2024
The offense has stepped up but the defense has let them down this season, allowing 3.06 goals per game with 12 goals in the last three games. Weegar and Andersson have combined for 6.1 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Dan Vladar has struggled with a .890 save percentage and a 3.21 goals-against average on 499 shots with -6.9 goals saved above average.
Hurricanes have been great across the board
The Hurricanes are having a great season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.29 goals per game with 15 goals in the last four games. Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Martin Necas have combined for 62 goals and 95 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has been great as well. Teuvo Teravainen, Andrei Svechnikov, and Stefan Noesen have combined for 47 goals and 65 assists while defensemen Brady Skjei and Brent Burns have added 19 goals and 48 assists from the point to put the offense over the top.
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) March 9, 2024
The offense has been great but the defense has also stepped up, allowing only 2.73 goals per game including only three goals in the last two games. Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin have combined for 8.5 defensive point shares and 155 blocked shots while Brady Skjei, Brett Pesce, and Dmitry Orlov have combined for 9.1 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Frederik Andersen, who was medically cleared to play last week, has been great in his few starts with a .904 save percentage and a 2.57 goals-against average on 167 shots.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Rating:
The Hurricanes are having a great season and look to control this game on both ends of the ice. The Hurricanes, who average 3.29 goals per game, should find the back of the net with ease against the Flames, who allow 3.06 goals per game, with Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with cross-ice passes. The Hurricanes, who allow only 2.73 goals per game, should limit the Flames offense with Brent Burns, Jaccob Slavin, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Frederik Andersen to make plenty of big saves. The Hurricanes should win the game and cover the spread in a dominant win on their home ice.
Prediction: Hurricanes -1.5 (+120)
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
Rating:
Both teams have great offenses and the upcoming game should reflect that with both forward units stepping up and finding the back of the net throughout the game. The Flames, who average 3.18 goals per game, should pile on the goals with Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Hurricanes, who have scored 15 goals in their last four games, should run up the score against the Flames, who have allowed eight goals in their last two games, with Sebastian Aho, Martin Necas, newly-acquired Jake Guentzel, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while defensemen Brent Burns and Brady Skjei pick apart the Flames defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game controlled by both offenses.
Take the Over on 6 goals.
Prediction: Over 6
Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.
