Panthers vs Flames NHL Betting Lines & Game Analysis.

Panthers vs Flames NHL Betting Lines & Game Analysis

Written by on January 11, 2019

One of the biggest favorites of Friday night on the Mybookie Sportsbook NHL betting board is the Pacific Division-leading Calgary Flames as they welcome the Florida Panthers for the only time this season. Even worse for struggling Florida, it’s on the second of a back-to-back.

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Why Bet on Florida?

Florida entered Thursday’s likely loss in Edmonton on a four-game skid so it should be five here. James Reimer started Thursday so it should be Roberto Luongo Friday. Luongo was pulled after giving up four goals on 16 shots in Tuesday’s 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Luongo was pulled after giving up the second shorthanded goal of the night for the Penguins. The 39-year-old goaltender has dropped three straight games, including four of his last five. His record is 8-9-1 with a 3.37 goals-against-average and a .892 save percentage.

The Panthers have been consistent in one area of late — falling behind. Florida has surrendered the first goal in seven consecutive contests, four times within the first two minutes: “It’s tough to play from behind … against any team in this league,” said right winger Colton Sceviour.

Captain Aleksander Barkov has been on roll, having collected 15 points (six goals, nine assists) over his past 11 games. The Panthers are 5-2 in their last 7 games playing on 0 days of rest.

The Panthers and Flames split last season, with Florida winning 6-3 in Calgary. Mike Matheson scored twice, and Barkov had a goal and two assists. Luongo stopped 30 shots. Evgenii Dadonov and Vincent Trocheck each had a goal and an assist, and Jared McCann also scored for Florida.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Goals: 3.19
  • Shots: 34.07
  • PP/PK Percentage: 26.67

Defense

  • Goals: 3.60
  • Shots: 30.67
  • PP/PK Percentage: 19.84

Why Bet on Calgary?

The Flames are third in the NHL in scoring at 3.60 goals per game. They won a third straight game Wednesday, 5-3 over Colorado. Mark Giordano had three assists and now has 303 career assists, moving him past Joe Nieuwendyk into fifth on the franchise list. The only blueliners higher on that list are Al MacInnis (609 assists), Gary Suter (436), and Paul Reinhart (336).

Giordano has surpassed the 35-point milestone seven times in his career and has gotten at least 40 points five times. Giordano assisted on his team’s middle three goals and one of them was on the power play. It’s the 11th time in his career and fifth time this season where he has collected three or more points in a game.

Giordano could be in line for his first Norris Trophy. ‘Gio’ has never won a Norris and at 35, he’s not the typical age for a contender. His 43 points in 43 games put him on pace to smash his previous career-high in points (56 in 2015-16).

Panthers vs Flames should be an easy victory for Calgary.

Johnny Gaudreau registered two assists Wednesday. Gaudreau’s point streak is up to six games. He’s recorded five multi-point contests during that span. He’s up to 25 goals and 66 points in 45 contests in 2018-19. Matthew Tkachuk is on a three-game point streak. He scored a goal Wednesday and has 20 goals and 51 points in 45 games. Before this season, his career-high was 49 points. Tkachuk’s 20th goal of the season is the 2nd time in Flames history where Calgary has had four players score 20 goals through 45 games.

David Rittich made 32 saves in the win. The first two Colorado goals were scored late in the first period, while the third was scored late in the final frame to cut the lead to 4-3. Rittich, however, hung on to earn the win and now owns a 16-4-3 record with a 2.42 GAA and a .921 save percentage in 2018-19.

Calgary continues to prove it is one of the hottest, dominant teams in the NHL with a 28-13-4 record and improved to 13-4-4 on home ice. Including Wednesday’s game against Colorado, six of their next seven games are at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames are 20-9-2 against Western Conference opponents this season.

Team Stats

Offense
  • Goals: 3.60
  • Shots: 32.09
  • PP/PK Percentage: 21.38

Defense

  • Goals: 2.87
  • Shots: 28.91
  • PP/PK Percentage: 21.58

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Panthers vs Flames NHL Betting Trends

  • Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Calgary
  • Over is 8-0 in the last 8 meetings
  • Panthers are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings
  • Flames are 9-4 in their last 13 home games
  • Florida is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
  • Florida is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida’s last 5 games
  • Calgary is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games at home
  • Calgary is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games at home
  • The total has gone OVER in 16 of Calgary’s last 22 games at home

Expert NHL Betting Prediction for Panthers vs Flames

Calgary Flames 5 – Florida Panthers 2