Calgary Flames vs. Minnesota Wild Prediction, Preview, and Odds
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The Calgary Flames face the Minnesota Wild with both teams looking to improve on rough seasons. The Flames have an 11-14-4 record and with only four wins in their last 10 games, they have fallen to fifth place in the Pacific Division. The Wild have a 10-12-4 record and have the second-worst record in the Central Division. Both teams look to improve in the Western Conference and the upcoming game should be a good one as a result.
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Flames have been let down by awful defense
The Flames are having a rough season despite their offense stepping up and scoring 3.00 goals per game. Elias Lindholm, Blake Coleman, and Nazem Kadri have scored 23 goals and 36 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has stepped up as well. Yegor Sharangovich, Mikael Backlund, and Andrew Mangiapane have combined for 21 goals and 25 assists while defensemen MacKenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson have added 11 goals and 22 assists from the point to help open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up the defense has been a mess, allowing 3.48 goals per game with 15 goals in the last three games. Noah Hanifin and MacKenzie Weegar have combined for 2.5 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. In addition, goaltender Daniel Vladar has struggled with a .872 save percentage and a 3.76 goals-against average on 250 shots with -7.9 goals saved above average.
Wild hope offense turns season around
The Wild are having a rough season and hope their offense can turn things around, scoring 3.08 goals per game with 21 goals in the last six games. Mats Zuccarello, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Kirill Kaprizov have scored 28 goals and 45 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has been great as well. Marco Rossi, Matt Boldy, and Ryan Hartman have combined for 23 goals and 22 assists while defensemen Brock Faber and Jacob Middleton have added five goals and 17 assists from the point to put the offense over the top.
The offense has been great but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.31 goals per game. Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin have combined for 2.8 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. In addition, goaltender Filip Gustavsson has struggled with a .900 save percentage and a 3.05 goals-against average on 458 shots with -1.9 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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The Flames are looking to pull off the upset but the Wild look to step up on their home ice and control this game. The Wild, who average 3.08 goals per game, should create plenty of scoring chances against the Flames, who allow 3.48 goals per game, with Kirill Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Wild should limit the Flames offense with Jonas Brodin, Brock Faber, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Filip Gustavsson to make plenty of big saves. The Wild should with the game with a strong performance on their home ice.
Take the Wild money line as home Favorites.
Prediction: Wild (-140)
Full-Game Total Pick
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Both defenses have struggled and the upcoming game should reflect that with both teams finding the back of the net throughout the game. The Flames, who average 3.00 goals per game, should create plenty of scoring chances against the Wild, who allow 3.31 goals per game, with Nazem Kadri, Elias Lindholm, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with passes to the face-off circles and the slot. The Wild, who have scored 21 goals in the last six games, should run up the score against the Flames, who have 15 goals in the last three games, with Kirill Kaprizov, Mats Zuccarello, Joel Eriksson Ek, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and creating open shots with effective puck movement while defensemen Brock Faber and Jacob Middleton pick apart the Flames defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 6.5 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.
