Two clubs that split their head-to-head series (one win apiece) last year, the New Jersey Devils and the Calgary Flames face off at the Scotiabank Saddledome in a cross-continent tilt. Sportsnet 360 will showcase the matchup, and the opening face-off is at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 5.
New Jersey Devils vs. Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary (-170) is currently the favorite over New Jersey (+150) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under).
New Jersey is 9-3 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 7.7 units this season. Eight of its matches have gone over the total, while four have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Devils team is 5-1 SU on the road.
The Devils have impressively scored on 26.8 percent of their power play chances thus far. That’s a noticeable step forward from last year, when they were ranked 22nd in the league by scoring on 17.5 percent of their extra-man opportunities. Their penalty kill has held firm, as they’ve gone from successfully defending 79.6 percent of all opponent power plays (ranked 23rd overall last year) to 79.6 percent this year.
The Devils, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties 5.0 times per game this season, a number that has jumped some from last year’s 4.0 penalties per game. After serving an average of 10.0 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has had to kill penalties for 12.4 minutes per matchup this season.
Averaging 32.6 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Cory Schneider (7-2) has been the best option in goal for New Jersey this year. If New Jersey decides to rest him, however, head coach John Hynes may go with Keith Kinkaid (3-1 record, .910 save percentage, 2.62 goals against average).
Taylor Hall and Will Butcher will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Devils. Hall has 16 points on four goals and 12 assists, and has recorded two or more points four times. Butcher has zero goal and 12 assists to his credit (and has notched a point in seven games).
On the other bench, Calgary is 7-6 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 0.1 units this year. Seven of its contests have gone under the total, while five have gone over and just one has pushed. This year, the team’s 3-4 SU as the home team.
The Flames have converted on just 15.2 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Calgary players have been sent to the penalty box 4.3 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 4.5, the second-highest mark in the league. After serving an average of 11.5 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has been forced to kill penalties for only 9.5 minutes per matchup this season.
Mike Smith has stopped 31.5 shots per game as the primary choice in goal for the Flames. Smith has seven wins and five losses to his name and has recorded a solid 2.19 goals against average and a .936 save percentage this season.
Johnny Gaudreau (three goals, 13 assists) will pace the offensive counter for the home team.
New Jersey Devils vs. Calgary Flames Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Devils, O/U – Over
Betting Trends:
- The Flames are 2-5 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Devils are 6-1 SU when they serve more minutes than their opponent.
- The total has gone under in four of Calgary’s last five outings.
- New Jersey skaters ranked 25th last year with 5.7 takeaways per game, but the team appears to be applying more intense pressure on opposing offenses to begin this season. It’s currently ranked 12th in the league with 8.3 takeaways per contest.
