Washington Capitals vs. Calgary Flames Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Washington Capitals continue their western road trip as they face the Calgary Flames with both teams looking to improve on the season. The Capitals have a 32-25-9 record and are near the bottom of the Metropolitan Division but with two wins in a row, they are only one point back of a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Flames have a 33-29-5 record and are in fifth place in the Pacific Division but have won back-to-back games. Both teams look to make a push for the playoffs and the upcoming game should be a great one.
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Capitals offense has let them down
The Capitals are having a rough season with their offense letting them down, scoring only 2.62 goals per game. Dylan Strome and Alexander Ovechkin have scored 41 goals and 60 assists to lead the top line but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only seven skaters have nine goals or more and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 17, 2024
The offense has let the Capitals down but the defense has also struggled, allowing 3.06 goals per game. John Carlson and Nick Jensen have combined for 7.2 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. The bright spot has been the play of goaltender Charlie Lindgren who has a .914 save percentage and a 2.61 goals-against average on 1008 shots with 9.9 goals saved above average.
Flames are led by a great offense
The Flames are having a rough season despite their offense stepping up and scoring 3.15 goals per game with nine goals in the last two games. Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman, and Yegor Sharangovich have scored 79 goals and 81 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has also stepped up. Jonathan Huberdeau, Mikael Backlund, and Andrew Mangiapane have combined for 37 goals and 81 assists while defensemen MacKenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson have added 22 goals and 49 assists from the point to open up the offense.
Saturday night's alright ��#Flames | @scotiabankpic.twitter.com/yX33LZRcgI
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 17, 2024
The offense has been great but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.15 goals per game. Andersson and Weegar 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 with ease. The bright spot has been the play of goaltender Jacob Markstrom who has a .910 save percentage and a 2.68 goals-against average on 1194 shots with 6.8 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
Full-Game Side Bet
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The Capitals have won back-to-back games but the Flames have looked great in recent games and look to take over this one on both ends of the ice. The Flames, who average 3.15 goals per game, should create plenty of scoring chances with Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Flames should limit the Capitals offense, which averages only 2.62 goals per game, with MacKenzie Weegar, Rasmus Andersson, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Jacob Markstrom to make plenty of big saves. The Flames should win the game with a strong performance on their home ice.
Take the Flames money line as home Favorites.
Prediction: Flames (-120)
Full-Game Total Pick
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The Flames are carried by their offense and both forward units look to step up and find the back of the net throughout the game. The Capitals should create plenty of scoring chances against the Flames, who allow 3.15 goals per game, with Dylan Strome, Alexander Ovechkin, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Flames, who have scored nine goals in their last two games, should run up the score against the Capitals, who allow 3.06 goals per game, with Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman, Yegor Sharangovich, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while defensemen Rasmus Andersson and MacKenzie Weegar pick apart the Capitals defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 6 goals.
Prediction: Over 6
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