Flames vs. Lightning Pick
Are the Calgary Flames and host Tampa Bay Lightning going to engage in a high-scoring affair tonight at 7:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Lightning are listed as a -220 favorite on the moneyline. The Flames are a +180 underdog, while the total is set at 5.5 goals.
Calgary comes in with a 22-16-1-3 record after a 3-2 overtime win at the Wild on Tuesday. Tampa Bay is 31-9-1-2 following a 5-4 home victory over the Hurricanes. The two meetings last season were split 1-1 with both teams winning on the road. The over-under went 1-1.
The Flames received a game-winning goal from Dougie Hamilton, his sixth of the season, in overtime to down Minnesota. Micheal Ferland and Sean Monahan led the way with a goal and an assist each. Johnny Gaudreau dished out three assists. Calgary led 2-0 through two periods before giving up a pair of scores in the third, but ultimately prevailed in OT. Mike Smith made 33 saves on 35 shots to pick up the win.
Tyler Johnson recorded a hat trick to highlight the effort by the Lightning in their victory over Carolina. Jake Dotchin and Victor Hedman tallied a goal and an assist apiece. Brayden Point registered three assists. Johnson’s third goal gave Tampa Bay a 5-3 advantage with 5:06 remaining and the hosts held off a late surge by the Hurricanes. Andrei Vasileveskiy recorded 28 saves on 32 shots to get the win.
Calgary is 5-11 in the last 16 meetings. The under is 6-2 in the last eight meetings. The under is 7-1 in the last eight Calgary road games.
Tampa Bay has the top-rated offense in the NHL and has rarely been slowed down by anyone this season. Calgary is only in the middle of the pack in goals against and is certainly not playing the Lightning every night. While the Flames don’t have a high-powered offense, they should be able to sneak a couple in while allowing Tampa Bay to do much of the leg work.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: FLAMES/LIGHTNING OVER 5.5
