In a game between two squads that’ve positioned themselves squarely in the playoff picture, the Minnesota Wild and the Calgary Flames collide at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Sportsnet West will air this Western Conference matchup, and the action gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 6.
Minnesota Wild at Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary (-145) is tabbed as the favorite over Minnesota (+125) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. If bettors want to play the matchup’s total, they’ll be looking at odds of -105 for the over and -115 for the under.
Netting 4.1 units for moneyline bettors, the Flames are 17-11 straight up (SU) overall this year. That win percentage, the league’s fifth-strongest so far in the early season, is a welcomed improvement compared to how the team performed during last year’s regular season (37-45). Of the team’s 28 games this season, 14 have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 8-5 SU at home this year.
Calgary’s converted on 23.0 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 26th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 76.5 percent of all penalties.
As a team, Calgary has been penalized just 3.5 times per game overall this season, 3.2 per game over its past five outings total, and 3.2 per game over its last five home outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for just 7.8 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
With a .884 save percentage and 21.9 saves per game, Mike Smith (nine wins, eight losses, and one OT loss) has been the top option in goal for the Flames this season. If the Flames decide to give him the evening off, however, head coach Bill Peters might turn to David Rittich (9-5-5 record, .919 save percentage, 2.39 goals against average).
Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will each be focal points for the Flames. Gaudreau (35 points) has produced 12 goals and 23 assists and has recorded two or more points eight times this year. Monahan has 17 goals and 16 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 19 contests.
Minnesota has lost 0.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far and is currently 15-12 straight up (SU). Through 27 regular season matches, 13 of its games have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under the total and just three have pushed. As the visiting team, Minnesota is 7-6 SU so far.
Minnesota has converted on 23.9 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fourth overall and it’s successfully killed off 84.1 percent of all penalties.
Minnesota’s players have been penalized 4.0 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Devan Dubnyk (2.68 goals against average and .911 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Minnesota. Dubnyk is averaging 27.2 saves per game and owns an 11-10-2 record.
Mikael Granlund (11 goals, 17 assists) has been one of the most vital offensive playmakers for the visiting Wild.
Minnesota Wild vs. Calgary Flames Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner \u2013 Wild, O/U \u2013 Over
Betting Notes
- For both of these clubs, the total has gone over in three of their last five games.
- Power plays and penalty kills could be key tonight. The Wild are 3-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 7-6 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Flames are 11-4 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 12-9 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Calgary is ranked 8th with 8.9 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended upward, as the team has created 9.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 10.0 takeaways over its last five.
- Minnesota has averaged 5.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 6.6 takeaways per game (ranked 24th overall).
