The Calgary Flames host the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday afternoon at the Scotiabank Saddledome, and the NHL odds have the Flames as -154 favorites.
Despite Chicago’s recent three-game win streak, my Flames vs. Blackhawks predictions are selling high on the visiting team.
Read on for my NHL picks for Saturday, December 21.
Flames vs Blackhawks prediction
My Flames pick
Flames -1.5 (+160 at BET99)
My Flames analysis
The Chicago Blackhawks have been playing a stronger brand of hockey under interim head coach Anders Sorensen, but that just presents an optimal sell-high opportunity on a team that is still clearly inferior to the Calgary Flames. Let’s start with goaltending, which is the first advantage for Calgary.
Dustin Wolf is slated to guard the cage for the Flames, while Petr Mrazek is projected to start on the other end of the ice. This season, Wolf outranks Mrazek in wins, GAA and SV%.
Furthermore, Mrazek is returning from an injury and illness (flu), increasing the likelihood that he will not perform at his best. On the other hand, Wolf dominated Chicago in their lone prior meeting, stopping 31 of 32 shots for a .969 SV% en route to a 3-1 victory just a few months ago.
I expect a similar result this time around, given that Calgary is also the stronger team both offensively and defensively. The Flames outrank the Hawks in xGF/60, xGA/60, and expected goal differential per 60 minutes.
Calgary also possesses home-ice advantage, where it is 11-4-3 this season. The opposite holds true for Chicago, which owns a 5-11-2 record when playing away from the United Center.
Finally, I found more value in the Flames’ puck line than their moneyline, given that four of their past five wins against the Hawks have come by at least a two-goal margin.
Flames vs Blackhawks same-game parlay (SGP)
Flames -1.5
Jonathan Huberdeau anytime goal
Nazem Kadri Over 0.5 assists
If we are backing Calgary to win by two or more goals, then we will need some of its skaters to find the scoresheet. Enter Jonathan Huberdeau, who should be a good candidate to find the back of the net in this contest.
Huberdeau co-leads the team in goals and leads the team outright in points, and he enters this contest in particularly good form with four goals over his past six games. Once again sticking with this theme of correlated outcomes, a Huberdeau goal correlates well with an assist for Nazem Kadri.
Kadri skates alongside Huberdeau on the first line and has assisted on two of Huberdeau’s past five goals. These two should be in store for a big game against a blue line that ranks 23rd in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Flames vs Blackhawks odds
Flames vs Blackhawks live odds
Flames vs Blackhawks opening odds
- Puck line: Calgary -1.5 (+160) | Chicago +1.5 (-185)
- Moneyline: Calgary -154 | Chicago +140
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-110) | Under 5.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of BET99
Flames vs Blackhawks trend
Four of Calgary’s past five wins against Chicago have come by at least a two-goal margin. Find more NHL betting trends for Flames vs Blackhawks.
How to watch Flames vs Blackhawks
| Location: | Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB |
| Date: | Saturday, 12-21-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 4:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | SN1 |
Flames vs Blackhawks latest injuries
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