The Calgary Flames will close out 2024 with a home date against the Vancouver Canucks in a game with plenty on the line.
If the Flames were to win against their injury-plagued rivals, they would end the year holding onto a playoff spot in a season not much was expected.
My Canucks vs. Flames predictions see Jonathan Huberdeau continuing his resurgence and making his mark offensively.
Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for Tuesday, December 31.
Flames vs Canucks prediction
My Flames pick
Jonathan Huberdeau 1+ point (-125 at BET99)
My Flames analysis
Jonathan Huberdeau is having his best season as a member of the Calgary Flames. He has already scored 15 goals, matching his previous high in Calgary, and is producing at a 62-point pace over a full schedule.
He is skating on the top offensive line alongside Nazem Kadri and Martin Posposil. They have meshed wonderfully this season, controlling 61% of the shot attempts, 62% of the expected goals, and finding the back of the net well over four times per 60 minutes. Those are terrific metrics across the board.
On home soil Flames head coach Ryan Huska will have the ability to get Huberdeau and co. on the ice in more favorable matchups than on the road.
That clearly makes a difference for Huberdeau. The veteran winger has hit the scoresheet in 63% of Calgary’s home games, and six of the last seven, compared to just 41% when playing on the road.
Although the Vancouver Canucks are a solid team, the Flames are certainly catching them at the right time. Superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes and sniper Elias Pettersson recently joined Filip Hronek on the sidelines, leaving massive holes in the Canucks lineup.
Mikael Backlund’s line will mostly draw the toughest assignment possible, meaning he’ll see a lot of Jake DeBrusk, J.T. Miller, and Brock Boeser.
That should free up Huberdeau’s unit to play against lesser competition up front, not to mention a defense missing its two best players in Hughes and Hronek.
Flames vs Canucks same-game parlay (SGP)
Jonathan Huberdeau Over 0.5 points
Nazem Kadri Over 0.5 points
Brock Boeser Under 2.5 SOG
Nazem Kadri is in very good form offensively. He is tied for the team lead in points with 17 over the last 20 games and he’s picked up a point in 14 of them (70% hit rate).
Kadri skates with Huberdeau at 5v5 and they should draw advantageous matchups with the last change against a team missing three of its best players, including the entirety of its top defense pairing.
He has a strong track record of production against the Canucks as well, having piled up 12 points over his last 13 meetings.
Brock Boeser has had a tough time generating shots this season. He is averaging just 1.9 shots on target per game and has failed to record 3+ shots in 71% of his games.
Boeser has averaged 1.2 shots per game over his last five against the Flames, finishing under 2.5 in four of them.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Flames vs Canucks odds
Flames vs Canucks live odds
Flames vs Canucks opening odds
- Puck line: Calgary -110 | Vancouver -102
- Moneyline: Calgary -1.5 (+229) | Vancouver +1.5 (-276)
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-115) | Under 5.5 (+100)
Odds courtesy of BET99
Flames vs Canucks trend
Jonathan Huberdeau has points in eight of his last 10 games, piling up 12 in aggregate. Find more NHL betting trends for Flames vs. Canucks.
How to watch Flames vs Canucks
| Location: | Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB |
| Date: | Tuesday, 12-31-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | SN Pacific |
Flames vs Canucks latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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