Thursday’s meeting between the Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights could be a preview of a first-round matchup in the playoffs. The Knights, however, would like to avoid that scenario and catch the Los Angeles Kings for the third playoff spot in the Pacific.
The Golden Knights are 2-1 in the last three against the Flames, but in the most recent game in February, they lost 6-0. The Flames are also on a five-game winning streak.
Can the underdog Golden Knights upset Calgary on the road or will the Flames show why they are the second-best team in the Western Conference? Find out in our free NHL betting picks and predictions for Golden Knights vs. Flames on Thursday, April 14.
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Golden Knights vs Flames odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Flames opened at -154 and the line has gone as high as -161 at certain books. The Golden Knights began at +130 but can be found as high as +140. The total opened at 5.5 and shot up to 6.5 at several books, but has now settled at 6.0. The over is getting -110, while the under is +102.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Golden Knights vs Flames predictions
Predictions made on 4/14/2022 at 6:00 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Golden Knights vs Flames game info
• Location: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
• Date: Thursday, April 14, 2022
• Puck drop: 9:00 p.m. ET
• TV: SN360, SportsNet RM
Golden Knights vs Flames betting preview
Key injuries
Golden Knights: Laurent Brossoit G (Out), Nolan Patrick C (Questionable), Reilly Smith F (Out), Will Carrier F (Out), Brett Howden C (Out), Nicolas Hague D (Out).
Flames: Tyler Parsons G (Out), Erik Gudbranson D (Questionable) Sean Monahan F (Out), Oliver Kylington D (Questionable).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Golden Knights vs Flames head-to-head record
Golden Knights: 2-1 SU, 8 goals for.
Flames: 1-2 SU, 13 goals for.
Betting trend to know
The Golden Knights and Flames have hit the over in five of their last six meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Flames.
Golden Knights vs Flames picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
The Calgary Flames are a beatable team, despite being first in the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights have done it in two of the last three meetings but were smacked 6-0 back in February, missing forward Mark Stone.
Stone is back, as is linemate Max Pacioretty. The team had been decimated by injuries a couple of months ago but is slowly getting players healthy.
Two Golden Knights that won’t play on Thursday are Reilly Smith and Will Carrier, who are on injured reserve. Still, Vegas presents three solid lines, including Jack Eichel, Evgenii Dadonov, and Nicolas Roy on the first line, followed by Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlson, and Mike Amadio. Pacioretty and Stone join Chandler Stephenson on the third shift.
The most glaring weakness is goaltender Robin Lehner who returned from an upper-body injury on April 3 and has a 2-2 record since. It is his goals allowed that are alarming as in four games he has given up 14 goals, including five to the Vancouver Canucks in the team’s last game on Tuesday.
The Flames should be able to take advantage of Lehner’s shakiness in net, as they rank sixth in the NHL in goals, averaging 3.51 a game. Vegas is 14th in that metric averaging 3.16.
Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau has been a man on a mission this season. He is fourth in the league in points with 101 (34 goals, 67 assists), and teammate Matthew Tkachuk is two spots behind with 92 points (37 goals, 55 assists).
This game won’t be a 6-0 beatdown like the last meeting, but the Flames have the offensive weapons to make Lehner’s life miserable in the crease. The favorite will prevail here pretty easily.
Prediction: Flames moneyline (-154 at FanDuel)
Over/Under analysis
This game has all the makings of turning into a goal fest. The Golden Knights have scored three or more times in seven of their last eight games and are 6-2 straight up during that span.
Vegas has had no issues putting the puck in the net, but the same can't be said about keeping it out of its own pipes as it has given up an ugly 21 goals in the same stretch.
After a series of injuries to the defense, they are starting to get healthy, with Nicholas Hague being the lone blueliner signed. With all those injuries, the Golden Knights are 16th in goals-against average with 2.97 and tied for 19th in save percentage at .906.
The Over is 5-1 in the Golden Knights' last six games against a team with a winning record, and 4-1 in their last five against Western Conference teams.
On the other side, the Flames have one of the best defenses in hockey, ranking second in GAA with 2.47, and second in SV% at .920.
Goalie Jacob Markstrom is a big reason for the success as he has proved himself to be one of the league's premier goaltenders this year. He has a GAA of 2.19, third in the NHL, and is sixth in SV% at .924.
The trend favors the Under for Calgary going 7-1-1 in its last nine games on a day’s rest. Still, the two teams are 5-1 to the Over in their last six meetings. Look for another bevy of goals on Thursday
Prediction: Over 6 (-110 at BetRivers)
Best bet
The Golden Knights might not win on Thursday against the Flames, but they should have no troubles scoring. Vegas has 10 players with 10 or more goals, led by Marchessault with 28.
Eichel is proving he was worth the price, having scored 11 goals in his first 28 games with his new team.
Now that Pacioretty and Stone are back from injury watch for their goals scored to rise. Pacioretty has 16 goals in 31 games this season, while Stone has eight in 29 games.
They have to score when they are at full strength, however, because their power play is abysmal. They are 24th in the league in power-play conversion at a pitiful 17.5%.
The Flames’ defense is a concern since it is one of the best in the league, but look for the Golden Knights to score at least three goals on Thursday.
Pick: Golden Knights team total Over 2.5 (-115 at DraftKings)
