Welcome back to the return of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in. In this round of predictions, the Carolina Hurricanes follow up their game against the Edmonton Oilers to take on the other team from Alberta in the Calgary Flames. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions in the coming days as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Carolina Hurricanes at Calgary Flames
Time: 9:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Fan Duel Sports Network South, Sportsnet West, ESPN+
The Calgary Flames stay at home following a shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins during the NHL’s Frozen Frenzy on Tuesday night. The Flames have somewhat surprisingly started the season red hot, going 5-0-1. Meanwhile, Carolina continues their trek through the Western Conference following a comeback overtime victory over the Oilers Tuesday night. Carolina has started the season ok with a 3-2 record in five games. The Flames will look to keep their point streak alive while Carolina will look to build on Tuesday’s win and find some consistency.
The Hurricanes Story
Carolina’s game against Edmonton had a feeling of being a bit all over the place. They started slow and Edmonton quickly jumped out to a lead. Ultimately, they would claw back to an ultimate overtime victory. One ghost of Carolina’s recent past showed itself again in this game, however. And actually already in their early season. That is the lack of finishing. There were numerous grade-A chances and empty nets that Carolina time and time again failed to cash in on. So far this season, Carolina’s 5v5 expected goals for is 15.22 but their goals scored above expected is at the bottom of the league at -6.22. This is interesting as even with a lot of player turnover this offseason, Carolina seems to still be excelling where they have recently (expected goals) but are still struggling where they also have recently (actual goals scored above expected). It’s still early so we don’t want to jump to early but this will be interesting to watch as the year rolls on. Regardless, Carolina HAS to be more opportunistic to get a win against the Flames.
Maybe the brightest spot so far this season has been the return of Shayne Gostisbehere. He has goals in four straight games, including an early third-period power play goal against Edmonton that started Carolina’s comeback. He leads the team in goals as well as all defencemen in the NHL at the time of this article. After losing Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei, Gostisbehere’s return has been great to see. Carolina will want Gostisbehere to keep it up here but needs a full team effort and some better finishing. Without it, it might be a tough night. Frederik Andersen got the start against Edmonton so if the rotation continues expect to see Pyotr Kochetkov. Kochetkov struggled against the St. Louis Blues (not all his fault though). But he is more than capable of a bounce-back performance.
The Flames Story
As mentioned above, the Calgary Flames have shot out of a cannon to start the season. Getting points in each of their first six games, only suffering one overtime loss, has been marked by pretty balanced production and solid goaltending. Jonathan Huberdeau is having a good start to the year as he leads the Flames in points with six. The goals lead is tied between Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri, MacKenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson each having three. From there the goals and points trickle down throughout much of the lineup.
As far as advanced stats for the team, nothing really jumps off the page. But they have been very solid when it comes to exceeding expected results. They have a 5.41 goal differential above expected. It seems like Calgary is getting a full team effort that has translated into success so far. In net, Dustin Wolf has been rock solid, picking up three wins and no losses with a 2.30 GAA and .936 SV%. Wolf started against Pittsburgh but with a day off the Flames may return to him in this one.
Prediction: Hurricanes at Flames
This matchup should be an interesting one to watch. Calgary will look to keep up their solid play and confidence to pull out the win here. Expectations were not as high for the Flames coming into the year, but they so far have been proving pundits wrong. On the other end, Carolina will look to find some consistency but must convert their chances to have a chance to win. The Flames have been strong, but Carolina does have the ability to control most of a game. Control is one thing, but actually winning where it matters is another.
Prediction: Flames win 2-1 in overtime
Prop Bets of the Night
Taking a look at the bets in this one from Bet365, I would go with Seth Jarvis for Carolina to get a point with -160 odds and Nazem Kadri to get two at +265 odds.
Main Photo Credit: Brett Holmes-Imagn Images
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