The Xcel Energy Center will be the site for an enticing matchup as the Minnesota Wild prepare to face the visiting Calgary Flames. This Western Conference matchup will get started at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 15, and it’s being televised live on Sportsnet West.
Calgary Flames at Minnesota Wild Odds
Moneyline odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
Calgary is 20-12 straight up (SU) and has earned 6.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 32 regular season outings, 16 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and just one has pushed. As the road team this season, the Flames are 9-7 SU.
Calgary has converted on 21.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 17th in the league, and it has successfully killed off 78.8 percent of its penalties.
Calgary, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 3.7 times per game in the 2018-19 season, and 4.6 per game over its last five on the road. The team has had to defend opponent power plays 10.4 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Sporting a .888 save percentage and 21.9 saves per game, Mike Smith (12-8-1) has been the primary option in goal for Calgary this season. If head coach Bill Peters decides to rest him, however, Calgary might go with David Rittich (10-6-1), who has a .921 save percentage and 2.31 goals against average this year.
Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Flames. Gaudreau (42 points) has tallied 13 goals and 29 assists, and has recorded two or more points 11 times. Monahan has 20 goals and 18 assists to his creditand has logged a point in 21 games.
Even though it’s posted a record of 17-14 straight up (SU), Minnesota has lost moneyline bettors a total of 1.6 units this season. 15 of its matches have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just three have pushed. This year, the team is 10-6 SU as the home team.
Minnesota has converted on 25.3 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked second overall, and it’s successfully killed off 85.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Minnesota players have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five contests. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 6.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Devan Dubnyk (26.4 saves per game) has been the top choice in goal for Minnesota. Dubnyk has 13 wins, 11 losses, and two overtime losses and has registered a .912 save percentage and 2.65 goals against average this season.
The Wild offense will be led by Mikael Granlund (11 goals, 21 assists).
Calgary Flames vs. Minnesota Wild Betting Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner \u2013 Wild, O/U \u2013 Over
Betting Notes
- Calgary’s attempted 32.4 shots per game overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 29.8 in its last five road games.
- The Flames are 13-4 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 14-9 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total.
- Minnesota has managed 6.9 takeaways per game (ranked 22nd overall).
- One of the best at disrupting their opponents, Calgary is ranked fifth in the NHL this season with 9.2 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward, as it’s averaged 10.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 10.6 takeaways over its last five.
