The Carolina Hurricanes (3-1-0) and Calgary Flames (3-1-0) meet Saturday at Scotiabank Saddledome. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Hurricanes vs. Flames odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Hurricanes suffered their first setback of the season Thursday in a 6-4 loss at the Edmonton Oilers, despite a hat trick from LW Andrei Svechnikov. The 4 goals allowed were more than their first 3 games combined.
The Flames also suffered their first loss of the season Thursday as the visiting Buffalo Sabres doubled them up 6-3. Calgary has scored 3 or more goals in all 4 games to date, averaging 3.8 GPG to rank 10th while checking in 5th in the NHL with a 31.3% mark on the power play.
Hurricanes at Flames odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 8:15 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Flames -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes +1.5 (-210) | Flames -1.5 (+165)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Hurricanes at Flames projected goalies
Antti Raanta (1-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .947 SV%) vs Jacob Markstrom (2-0-0, 3.43 GAA, .862 SV%)
Raanta should get a chance at this 2nd start of the season after Frederik Andersen was dinged for 5 goals on 32 shots in Edmonton. The Great Dane allowed 2 power-play goals and a shorthanded goal in the loss.
Raanta allowed just 1 goal on 19 shots in his season debut at the San Jose Sharks last Friday in a 2-1 victory.
Markstrom was pulled after 20 minutes against Buffalo after he allowed 3 goals on just 12 shots. G Dan Vladar finished up in relief, but he is no threat to Markstrom’s job security.
Hurricanes at Flames picks and predictions
Prediction
Flames 5, Hurricanes 3
Moneyline
The FLAMES (-140) are worth playing on home ice in this solid early-season matchup.
The Hurricanes opened with 3 straight wins, so a loss in Edmonton raised some eyebrows. However, to be fair, Carolina’s first 3 victories were against Columbus, San Jose and Seattle — teams with a combined 5-10-2 record.
Puck line/Against the spread
The FLAMES -1.5 (+165) are worth playing lightly, although they have covered the puck line in just 1 of the 3 games in which they were favorites.
It could be a similar fate for the Hurricanes as they suffered Thursday in Edmonton when it took an empty-net goal to secure the cover for the home favorite Oilers.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5(+100) is the best play on the board in this game.
The Over cashed for the first time this season for Carolina last time out, while Calgary has cashed the Over at a 2-1-1 pace in the early part of the season. The last time these teams met in Raleigh was in January, and they combined for 9 total goals. Look for more of the same here.
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