Face-off: 1900 ET, 07/01/2022
Venue: PNC Arena
Calgary have been soundly beaten by the two Stanley Cup favourites this week but could find Carolina more conducive company.
Admittedly, the Hurricanes are on a hot streak of eight wins in nine outings, but last month’s 2-1 victory over the Flames was only gained in overtime.
The hosts have otherwise benefited from a kind schedule and could just be worth taking on here.
We reckon 1.72 for Calgary to avoid defeat in regular time is a rock-solid selection from the NHL odds.
Carolina Hurricanes Odds
Carolina have climbed up to third in the Metropolitan Division and are just a point behind the leading pair, with plenty of games in hand.
Monday’s trip to Toronto was postponed but they are 2-0 since returning from the Christmas break, beating Montreal 4-0 at this venue and romping to a 7-4 success at Columbus.
Over the current good run, though, Calgary are the highest-rated team beaten at 14th in the overall NHL standings, with a 2-1 loss at 20th-placed Vancouver spoiling the sequence.
However, things are expected to get tougher this weekend, with high-flying Florida visiting after the Flames.
“They’re two of the better teams that we’re going to see all year,” admitted head coach Rod Brind’Amour. “They do play different styles but they’re both capable.
“Calgary is a bit more committed to shutting you down and Florida is a run-and-gun type team. It’ll be a good test for us either way.”
These teams are first and second in the ratings in terms of goals conceded this term and only two were netted in regular time when they met in Canada.
We’re expecting this to be another tight tussle, so 1.91 for less than two goals to be scored in the first period is added to our NHL predictions.
Calgary Flames Odds
Calgary resumed with road wins at Seattle and Chicago but had their limitations exposed when going down 6-2 at Florida and 4-1 at Tampa Bay.
At least Blake Coleman didn’t come away from Tampa empty handed, receiving his Stanley Cup ring from when going all the way with the Lightning for a second time last season.
He commented: “The last two games we’ve gotten looks at teams that are going to be there at the end of the season and when it matters. Now we know what we need to get our game to.
“It’s time to look in the mirror and really man up for what’s going to be another really good test for us, another measuring stick to see if we can step up to the challenge.”
The Flames remain nicely placed to challenge Vegas and Anaheim at the Pacific Division summit, though, and still have a fine 13-6-2 away record.
After facing a couple of high-tempo sides, we just feel they will be suited by what promises to be more of a war of attrition at PNC Arena.
Let’s finish off our Carolina Hurricanes vs Calgary Flames predictions by taking 4.75 for an away win and under 5.5 goals, plus 12.5 for a 3-2 scoreline.
Additional stats
Last result:
CAROLINA 7-4 Columbus
Tampa Bay 4-1 CALGARY
Head-to-head: Calgary 1-2 Carolina, Calgary 0-4 Carolina, Carolina 2-1 Calgary, Carolina 3-4 Calgary
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