The Calgary Flames put a bow on 2024 with a big home win against the Vancouver Canucks, which propelled them back into a Wild Card.
They’ll look to build on that with another result against a Utah Hockey Club team that is nipping at their heels in the Western Conference playoff race.
My Flames vs Utah predictions see Calgary youngster Matt Coronato taking center stage offensively.
Let’s take a closer look with my NHL picks for Thursday, January 2.
Flames vs Utah Hockey Club prediction
My Flames pick
Matt Coronato Over 0.5 points (-105 at BET99)
My Flames analysis
Calgary Flames winger Matt Coronato has failed to hit the scoresheet in three consecutive games heading into tonight’s meeting with the Utah Hockey Club.
Encouragingly, the dry spell is not due to a lack of opportunities. Calgary has generated 72 shot attempts, 33 shots on target, and 4.58 expected goals during Coronato’s minutes in that span.
All of those looks with Coronato on the ice were translated into exactly one goal, which Coronato did not factor into. That’s due to an unsustainably low on-ice shooting percentage of 3.03%.
That is less than a third of Coronato’s season-long on-ice shooting percentage (9.80%). Obviously, noise and the numbers can fluctuate drastically in any direction over a short period of games.
What’s encouraging is the Flames are generating a lot of opportunities with Coronato on the ice. They’ve averaged more than 1.50 expected goals per game during his minutes throughout this quiet stretch. The process has been excellent and it’s only a matter of time before it leads to results.
Coronato finds himself in a sneaky-good spot to create offense against Utah. Its defensive metrics have tailed off of late, with the Hockey Club sitting 23rd in shots allowed and 24th in expected goals against during 5-on-5 play the past 10 games.
Utah has also spent a lot of time in the box, taking the fifth-most penalties in that span. Coronato is a regular on the No. 1 power play unit, so that’s certainly noteworthy and only means more opportunities for him to get off the schneid.
Flames vs Utah Hockey Club same-game parlay (SGP)
Matt Coronato Over 0.5 points
Mikael Backlund Over 0.5 points
Dylan Guenther Over 0.5 points
Mikael Backlund’s production at home vs. on the road is night and day. He has hit the scoresheet in 10 of 20 home dates (50%) compared to just four of 17 on the road (24%).
Backlund centers Coronato at 5-on-5 on what has developed into a very good two-way unit. If Coronato hits the scoresheet, Backlund tends to come along for the ride.
Going the other way, Dylan Guenther has developed into one of the best young offensive wingers in the league.
He has points in 59% of his games this season and 71% on the road, where teams spend more resources slowing down Clayton Keller’s line.
Guenther had two points in his final meeting against the Flames last season and picked up where he left off, producing another two in their late October meeting.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Flames vs Utah Hockey Club odds
Flames vs Utah Hockey Club live odds
Flames vs Utah Hockey Club opening odds
- Puck line: Calgary +1.5 (-260) | Utah -1.5 (+210)
- Moneyline: Calgary -105 | Utah -115
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-130) | Under 5.5 (+110)
Flames vs Utah Hockey Club trend
Matt Coronato has totaled nine points over his last 10 games in Calgary. Find more NHL betting trends for Flames vs. Utah Hockey Club.
How to watch Flames vs Utah Hockey Club
| Location: | Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB |
| Date: | Thursday, 1-2-2025 |
| Puck drop: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | SNW |
Flames vs Utah Hockey Club latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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