A couple of teams that’ve positioned themselves firmly in the playoff picture, the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets meet at Nationwide Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 4, and you can view this East-West matchup live on Sportsnet West.
Calgary Flames vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Calgary (+110) is currently the underdog to Columbus (-130), and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -120 money on the over and even money (+100) on the under.
Calgary is 16-11 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 3.0 units this season. Through 27 regular season contests, 13 of its games have gone over the total, while another 13 have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2018-19 Flames team is 8-6 SU on the road.
Calgary has converted on 20.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 76.8 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Calgary has been whistled for penalties just 3.5 times per game in the 2018-19 season, and 4.2 per game over its last five on the road. The team has had to kill penalties just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 22.4 saves per game with a .886 save percentage, Mike Smith (8-8-1) has been the best option in goal for Calgary this year. If head coach Bill Peters chooses to rest him, however, the team could go with David Rittich (8-5-1), who has a .924 save percentage and 2.21 goals against average this year.
Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Flames. Gaudreau has 31 points via 10 goals and 21 assists, and has recorded multiple points seven times. Monahan has 15 goals and 14 assists to his credit (and has registered a point in 18 games).
Over on the other bench, Columbus is 15-11 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 26 regular season matches, 13 of its games have gone under the total, while 10 have gone over and just three have pushed. This season, the team’s 7-5 SU as the home team.
Columbus has converted on just 16.7 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the bottom 10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all opponent power plays.
Columbus players have been sent to the penalty box only 3.4 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 6.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Sergei Bobrovsky has denied 27.4 shots per game as the top selection in goal for Columbus. Bobrovsky has 10 wins and eight losses to his credit and has maintained a pedestrian 2.72 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this season.
Artemi Panarin (seven goals, 20 assists) and Cam Atkinson (16 goals, 11 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the Blue Jackets.
Calgary Flames at Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner \u2013 Blue Jackets, O/U \u2013 Under
Betting Trends
- The under has hit in three of Calgary’s last five outings.
- Seven of Calgary’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 5-2 in those games.
- Calgary skaters created 20.0 hits per game last season, while the Blue Jackets forced 21.8 hits per contest.
