A game that features two squads that’ve positioned themselves squarely in playoff contention, the Calgary Flames and the Columbus Blue Jackets collide at Nationwide Arena in an East-West showdown. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 22, and fans at home will be able to witness it live on Sportsnet 360.
Calgary Flames vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Odds
Columbus (+135) is entering this one as the underdog to Columbus (-155), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-125 money on the under, +105 on the over).
Columbus is 13-8 straight up (SU) and has netted 3.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the NHL in this young season, is right in line with the 50-32 record the team produced during last years regular season campaign. Through 21 regular season contests, 12 of its games have gone under the total, while nine have gone over and none have pushed. So far this year, the team is 6-4 SU at home.
The Blue Jackets have converted on just 10.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 32nd overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 10th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.3 percent of all penalties.
The Blue Jackets, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties just 3.0 times per game overall this season, and 1.8 per game over their past five contests. The teams had to kill penalties for just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 28.9 saves per game with a .933 save percentage, Sergei Bobrovsky (12-5-1) has been the best option in goal for the Jackets this year. If Columbus chooses to rest him, however, the team might roll with Joonas Korpisalo (1-3-3 record, .896 save percentage, 3.27 goals against average).
Artemi Panarin and Oliver Bjorkstrand will both be focal points for the Blue Jackets. Panarin (15 points) is up to five goals and 10 assists and has recorded two or more points on two separate occasions this year. Bjorkstrand has five goals and eight assists to his credit and has notched a point in 11 contests.
On the other bench, Calgary is 12-8 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 2.6 units this year. Through 20 regular season outings, 11 of its games have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and just one has pushed. As the road team, the Flames are 6-3 SU so far.
The Flames have converted on 21.9 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully killed off 71.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Calgary’s players have been penalized 4.4 times per game in total this season, and 5.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties an unhealthy 19.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Mike Smith (29.4 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Calgary. Smith owns a 12-6 record, and has registered a .922 save percentage and 2.61 goals against average this year.
Johnny Gaudreau (10 goals, 21 assists) has been one of the top facilitators on offense for the visiting Flames.
Calgary Flames at Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blue Jackets, O/U – Over
Betting Trends:
- Columbus is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Calgary is 2-0 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in each of Columbus last five games.
- Columbus has allowed 2.5 goals per game overall this year, but has given up only 1.0 per match up across its four-game winning streak.
