Flames vs Bruins Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

The Flames play much better and much tighter on home ice compared to on the road, and while it's not uncommon for teams to have positive splits in that direction, the Saddledome remains a tough barn for visitors.

Neil Parker - Analyst at Covers.com
Neil Parker • Betting Analyst
Dec 17, 2024 • 12:09 ET • 4 min read
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This article contains predictions for an old game!

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Dustin Wolf Calgary Flames NHL
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The Calgary Flames have scorched on home ice this season, and they welcome the Boston Bruins to the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday, December 17.

Calgary has been one of the best defensive teams in the league on home ice, and our Bruins vs. Flames predictions anticipate the trend continuing in a low-scoring win for the home team tonight.

Our NHL picks are locked in ahead of tonight's 9 p.m. ET puck drop on Sportsnet West.

Flames vs Bruins prediction

My Flames pick
Flames moneyline (+105 at BET99)

My Flames analysis

The Calgary Flames have been an entirely different team on home ice at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary has rolled off an 11-4-1 record while allowing the sixth-fewest goals per game (2.44) compared to the fourth-most on the highway (3.67).

It’s a similar story for the Boston Bruins, with the Bs allowing the third-most goals per away game (3.73) compared to the eighth-fewest on home ice (2.65).

Boston has also struggled to score all season long, and it’s reflective of the lack of high-end scorers in the lineup. Additionally, I don’t think winger David Pastrnak is 100% healthy.

Pastrnak is sporting a career-low 8.7 shooting percentage, and his 1.04 goals per 60 minutes is his lowest mark since his rookie season. It’s a big reason why Boston is 31st with a 13.0 power-play percentage.

Returning to Calgary, rookie Dustin Wolf has also been far better on home ice and is coming off a tidy 32-save shutout over the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on Saturday.

Calgary Flames stats Home Away
Save percentage .949 .862
GAA 1.65 4.16
GSAA/60 0.78 -0.40

So, the big question is why has Calgary, and Wolf in particular, been so much better on home ice?

The Flames have a larger home-ice advantage than the majority of teams and it also isn't being properly priced in by oddsmakers. The Saddledome is the NHL's second-oldest barn. It requires an endless list of repairs, and its replacement is set to open for the 2027-28 season.

It’s obviously impossible to fully quantify the theory, but it’s also obvious visiting teams aren’t having a lot of success, and I think it’s because the Saddledome is becoming more and more uncomfortable for visitors. 

Flames vs Bruins same-game parlay (SGP)

Flames moneyline

Under 5.5

Nazem Kadri Over 2.5 shots

As highlighted, Calgary has been a defensive force on home ice, and Wolf has been elite between the pipes. Additionally, while Boston has struggled to prevent goals on the highway, they’ve also allowed just 2.67 per game since Joe Sacco took over as head coach.

The Flames have also played to the Under in eight of their past 10 home games.

Calgary center Nazem Kadri rounds out this same-game parlay, and he’s trading with a decreased total in the shots market. Kadri regularly trades at 3.5, and he’s recorded three or more shots in 19 of 31 games.

Additionally, Kadri paces the Flames in both shots and attempts per game (3.26 and 6.26) and per 60 minutes (10.49 and 20.15).

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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Flames vs Bruins odds

Flames vs Bruins live odds

Flames vs Bruins opening odds

  • Puck line: Calgary +1.5 (-230) | Boston -1.5 (+190)
  • Moneyline: Calgary +115 | Boston -135
  • Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-110) | Under 5.5 (-110)

Flames vs Bruins trend

The Calgary Flames have hit the moneyline in 25 of their last 43 games at home (+2.65 Units / 5% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Flames vs. Bruins.

How to watch Flames vs Bruins

Location: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
Date: Tuesday, 12-17-2024
Puck drop: 9:00 p.m. ET
TV: SNW

Flames vs Bruins latest injuries

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Neil Parker - Covers
Betting Analyst

Neil Parker is, first and foremost, a sports fan. A huge supporter of the Cowboys, Cubs, and Maple Leafs, he has managed to parlay his passion into writing gigs with Sportsbook Review, USA TODAY, theScore, DraftKings Playbook, and RotoWire, among many others. He also co-hosted the Daily Fantasy Edge podcast and can now be seen offering expert golf and hockey advice on Covers’ Before you Bet broadcast.

Neil takes a numbers-based approach to his handicapping and complements his in-depth statistical analysis with a keen eye on the markets to provide the best available odds. He loves to lean on his rolodex of idioms to offset his inner nerd. When it comes to wagering, he throws down on anything that catches his eye at bet365, Betway and BetVictor. He also keeps a close eye on CoolBet because the polar bear brand often has outlier NHL and NFL moneyline prices.

Neil graduated with honors from St. Thomas University in 2007 before completing his BEd at Acadia University in 2010. After teaching a myriad of courses and subjects, he found a groove delivering fun lessons to exceptional learners in non-traditional classroom environments. If his decade-plus teaching run taught him anything about sports betting, it’s to stay the course and use the summer – or offseason – to refresh and prepare to be better in the year to come.

Neil’s top pieces of advice for recreational bettors are to stay within your means and to remember sportsbooks aren’t bank accounts. Don’t be afraid to pull those winnings and treat yourself to a lifetime experience courtesy of a big win.

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