Two of the top teams in hockey will square off on Saturday night in Calgary. The Flames will be looking for their fifth straight win when they welcome the Nashville Predators to town. Calgary has used this recent winning streak to vault to the top of the Pacific Division. The Flames have racked up 38 points this season, and look like a team that could make a run at the Stanley Cup. Nashville has struggled of late, going just 3-3 in their last six games, but they still lead the tough Central Division. The Predators have been just a little better than the Flames this season, racking up 39 points on the year. With two of the best offenses in the NHL on the ice in this game, there should be plenty of scoring.
Flames vs. Predators Odds
The moneyline for this game is Calgary Flames -128. The over/under for total goals is set at 6.0.
Flames vs. Predators Head to Head
This is the third meeting between the Calgary Flames and Nashville Predators this season. The two teams have split the first two games, and this will be the rubber match. Calgary has outscored the Predators 6-5 in the first two meetings.
Flames vs. Predators Stats
Calgary is in the top-10 in both scoring offense and goals allowed this season. The Flames are averaging 3.52 goals per game, while allowing just 2.79 goals per game. Center Sean Monahan leads the team with 17 goals, while left winger Johnny Gaudreau leads the team with 37 points on the season. Goaltenders Mike Smith and David Rittich have combined for three shutouts this season, and have both been solid in net for the Flames.
The Predators can score goals, but their biggest skill is limiting opponents. Nashville is allowing just 2.45 goals per game which is the best scoring defense in the league. Goaltender Pekka Rinne has two shutouts this season, and has a miniscule 1.96 goals against average. Center Ryan Johansen leads the team with 20 assists and 25 points this season. Filip Forsberg is the only Predators player with more than ten goals, leading the team with 14 goals.
Flames vs. Predators News
Nashville is dealing with a ton of injuries at the moment, including top goal-scorer Filip Forsberg. Forsberg is expected to miss at least a month with an upper-body injury. The Predators do expect some players back soon, including defenseman P.K. Subban.
The Flames are one of the healthiest teams in the NHL at this point of the season, but they have still been shifting their lineups. Austin Czarnik and Dalton Prout were healthy scratches for Calgary in their most recent victory.
Flames vs. Predators Predictions
When the Predators are healthy, they feature one of the best rosters in the National Hockey League. Nashville comes into this game with several key injuries, and they are limping to the end of this road trip. Calgary is one of the hottest teams in the NHL, and they will take care of business at home in this game. Bet the Flames -128 over the Nashville Predators.
