Lightning vs Flames Prediction

pickdawgz.com

16 December 2023

The Tampa Bay Lightning will play the Calgary Flames on Saturday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta. Tampa Bay has alternated wins and losses over their last five games, while Calgary has lost four games in a row. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Lightning vs Flames prediction.

Lightning Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 14-12-5 this year after they defeated Edmonton by a score of 7-4 in their last game. Tampa Bay trailed 3-2 in the third period, but they were able to score five goals in the third period for the win. The Lightning were out shot by a total of 57-24 and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay lost to Vancouver by a score of 4-1 in the game prior to Edmonton, but they did defeat Seattle in the game before that. The Lightning are scoring 3.32 goals per game and they are allowing 3.55 goals against per game, while going 29.4% on the power play and 79.8% on the penalty kill. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with 20 goals, 30 assists, and 140 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 5-4-0 this year with a 2.89 goals against average and a .902 save percentage.

Flames Preview

The Calgary Flames are 11-14-5 this season after they lost to Minnesota in a shootout by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Calgary took a 2-1 lead in the third period, but immediately gave up the tying goal, before losing in a shootout. The Flames out shot Minnesota by a total of 37-32 and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Calgary has also lost to Vegas, Colorado, and New Jersey during this losing streak. The Flames are scoring 2.97 goals per game and they are allowing 3.43 goals against per game, while going 12.1% on the power play and 83% on the penalty kill. Nazem Kadri has led the Flames with eight goals, 14 assists, and 96 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Calgary is Dan Vladar, who is 4-4-2 this year with a 3.54 goals against average and a .879 save percentage.

Calgary Flames Team Facts

The Flames have lost each of their last four games.
The Flames have failed to cover the puck line in 13 of their last 15 night games at Scotiabank Saddledome after coming off a shootout.
The road team has won the second period in each of the Flames' last four games.
The 'Over 2.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in four of the Flames' last five games after coming off overtime.

Tampa Bay Lightning Team Facts

The Lightning have lost six of their last seven games following a road win.
The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six night games following a road win.
The Lightning have lost the second period in nine of their last 10 night games following a road win.
The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in seven of the Lightning's last eight games.

Calgary Flames Player Prop Facts

Jonathan Huberdeau has scored a goal in each of his last five Saturday appearances against the Lightning.
MacKenzie Weegar has recorded a point in each of the Flames' last seven night games at Scotiabank Saddledome.
MacKenzie Weegar has recorded an assist in five of the Flames' last six night games.
Yegor Sharangovich ranks T1st in the Pacific Division for shootout goals (3) this season.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

Steven Stamkos has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances against the Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome.
Anthony Cirelli has recorded at least one point in five of the Lightning's last six games.
Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in 13 of the Lightning's last 15 games.
Nikita Kucherov ranks T1st in the league for Assists (30) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Calgary Flames ranks 30th in the league for Period 1 goals allowed per game this season (1.23).
The Calgary Flames ranks 29th in the league in save percentage this season (.884).
The Tampa Bay Lightning ranks 1st in the league for power play goals this season (30).
The Tampa Bay Lightning ranks 2nd in the league for Period 1 goals scored per game this season (1.23).

Lightning vs Flames Betting Prediction

Calgary has really struggled over the last couple of weeks and they are trying to avoid their fifth consecutive loss here, while Tampa Bay is coming off of a nice road win against Edmonton. The Flames are only at 12.1% on the power play, while Tampa Bay is 29.4% on the man advantage. The Lightning play their best hockey at home, as they are only 6-9-2 on the road, so this is a great chance for Calgary to snap their losing streak. The Flames have been close in their last two games, as they went to overtime in both, but I think they get the win here. The Lightning are too inconsistent on the road and even though they won their last game, they were severely out shot. Take Calgary here.