The Vancouver Canucks (12-13-3) and Calgary Flames (13-11-5) meet Wednesday at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (TNT).
The Canucks racked up a total of 13 goals while allowing 11 goals in a pair of overtime wins Dec. 5-7. Things were going well before a 3-0 setback against the Minnesota Wild and Filip Gustavsson last time out on Saturday.
The Flames went 0-for-3 on an Eastern Conference road trip, and were outscored 10-6. It will be glad to be back on home ice, where Calgary went 4-1 in its most recent homestand from Nov. 29-Dec. 7.
- Moneyline (ML): Canucks +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Flames -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Canucks +1.5 (-170) | Flames -1.5 (+135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Canucks at Flames projected goalies
Spencer Martin (8-3-1, 3.45 GAA, .891 SV%) vs. Jacob Markstrom (8-7-3, 2.81 GAA, .897 SV%)
Martin received no offensive support in that 3-0 loss to the Wild Saturday. He is still 2-1-0 with a 3.93 GAA and .864 SV% in 4 starts and 5 appearances in December.
Markstrom has also seen a lack of offensive support this month, and he has lost 4 consecutive starts overall. However, the veteran has allowed a total of 5 goals on 83 shots in 3 December outings, going 0-2-1 with a 1.68 GAA and .940 SV%.
Canucks at Flames picks and predictions
Prediction
Flames 4, Canucks 3
Moneyline
The FLAMES (-175) are moderate favorites, but they’re a strong play at home where they have been much better than on the road.
While the Canucks (+150) have won 5 straight road games, they’re 5-17 in the last 22 trips to Calgary, while going 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in the series overall.
Calgary is also 4-0 in the past 4 against Western Conference teams, while going 35-17 in the past 52 home games dating back to last season, too.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Canucks +1.5 (-170) are priced a little too high if you can’t stand the idea of playing them straight up, and would like a little insurance.
Vancouver just hasn’t had very good history in Calgary in recent seasons, and until it starts to change that on a regular basis, stay away.
PASS.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5(+100) is the play here at even money.
The Over has dominated in this series, going 22-10-5 in the last 37 meetings in Calgary, while going 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings overall.