Flames at Blackhawks Prediction

Chicago Blackhawks (11-26-2) vs Calgary Flames (17-16-5)

Game Info: Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 3:00 pm (United Center)

Betting Odds: Chicago Blackhawks +170 / Calgary Flames -217 --- Over/Under: 6

The Calgary Flames and the Chicago Blackhawks meet in NHL action from the United Center on Sunday afternoon. Who will come out on top in this matinee from the Windy City? Let’s dive in and find out with our Flames vs. Blackhawks Prediction.

Calgary Flames Team Preview

The Calgary Flames come into this one looking to rebound from a 3-2 loss to Philadelphia last time out. Blake Coleman leads Calgary in scoring with 30 points including a team-high 15 goals while Nazem Kadri has 28 points with a team-high 17 assists this season. Yegor Sharangovich and Elias Lindholm each have 25 points with Sharangovich logging 12 goals while Lindholm has 17 assists of his own this season. Jacob Markstrom has gone 10-11-2 with a 2.65 GAA and a .908 save percentage while Dan Vladar is 6-4-2 with a 3.36 GAA and an .888 save percentage this season. Dustin Wolf has also gone 1-2-1 with a 3.46 GAA and an .893 save percentage as well this season.

Calgary Flames Team Facts

• The Flames have lost 15 of their last 20 games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
• The Flames have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine day games following a road loss.
• The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in each of the Flames' last seven games as favorites against the Blackhawks.
• The Flames have lost the first period in four of their last five games as favorites against Central Division opponents.

Chicago Blackhawks Team Preview

The Chicago Blackhawks come into this one looking to snap a five-game losing streak after a 4-2 loss to New Jersey last time out. Connor Bedard leads the Blackhawks with 33 points including a team-high 15 goals along with a team-high 18 assists while Philipp Kurashev has 22 points with 7 goals and 15 assists. Jason Dickinson has 19 points with 13 goals and 6 assists and Nick Foligno also has 17 points with 8 goals and 9 assists. Petr Mrazek has gone 9-13-1 with a 3.27 GAA and an .903 save percentage in goal for the Blackhawks while Arvid Soderblom is 2-13-1 with a 4.01 GAA and an .875 save percentage this season.

Chicago Blackhawks Team Facts

• The home team has won each of the Blackhawks' last seven games.
• The Blackhawks have covered the puck line in each of their last seven home games against Western Conference opponents.
• The Blackhawks have won the third period in each of their last six day games at United Center following a road loss.
• The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in each of the Blackhawks' last eight day games.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Chicago Blackhawks rank 31st in the league for goals per game this season (2.31).
• The Chicago Blackhawks rank 31st in the league for goals against per game this season (3.77).
• The Calgary Flames rank 30th in the league in power play percentage this season (12.10%).
• The Calgary Flames rank 5th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.68%).

Flames vs. Blackhawks Prediction

I’m rocking with Calgary -1.5 here. The Flames aren’t my favorite team to back, especially as heavy road favorites, but the Blackhawks were struggling at the best of times, and now lose their best player in Connor Bedard to the IR for the next few weeks. This could be the start of a long, dark period for Chicago hockey until Bedard returns. Give me Calgary -1.5 here.

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.