Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled then offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. Today we are looking at the game between the New York Rangers vs. Calgary Flames. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
New York Rangers vs. Calgary Flames
Time: 9:00 p.m Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: SN1, MSG
The New York Rangers (12-4-1) make their one and only visit to the Scotiabank Saddledome to face the Calgary Flames (10-6-3) in this East vs. West battle. Each team is coming in on a short winning streak with the Rangers winning their last three and the Flames winning their last two. Someones streak will continue tonight.
Rangers Continue Western Road Swing
This is the New York Rangers third game of a four game Western road trip. So far they have beaten the Seattle Kraken, and Vancouver Canucks. Next up is the Flames who they beat in regulation in the two games they played against them during the 2023-2024 NHL Season. Along with a three game win streak the Rangers put there 7-1-0 road record on the line tonight.
The Rangers rank in the top ten in many team statistical categories entering this game. Both special teams units as well as their goals for and against are all up there with the best teams in the league. To go along with those high level team stats the Rangers also have many all star individual players for opponents to watch out for. Forward Artemi Panarin has recorded at least one point in all but two games so far this season. Defenceman Adam Fox hasn’t found the back of the net but he has 15 assists in 17 games. These two players are surrounded by an excellent supporting cast making New York a tough matchup for any team they face.
Flames Seem to Fare Better at Home
While the Rangers have been road warriors the Calgary Flames play much better on home ice going 7-3-0. Many of those wins can be attributed to Dustin Wolf’s play in the home crease. He has won six of the seven games he has started at the Saddledome. He has been one of the best rookies in the league to start the season, and if he gets the start tonight against the Rangers it will be one of the toughest tests of his young career.
The Flames can’t just rely on their rookie phenom in this game. They will need to produce some goals. They are on the opposite end of the spectrum than the Rangers when it comes to the special teams rankings. Those units will have to be better tonight in order to give them a chance to win. They did score a power play goal against the New York Islanders in their last game so that is something to build on. Look for two veteran players to lead the offensive charge. Both Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau, who is having a bounce back season, have 10 points on the year. That is tied for first among forwards on the Flames. It wouldn’t even rank top five on the Rangers showing the disparity in offensive talent. They will need to produce tonight.
Prediction
Being at home should benefit Calgary in this game. However, some of that should be mitigated by how good New York has been on the road. With the sizeable difference in offensive firepower the Flames will either need to score more or have their goalie steal one. Another area to watch is face-offs. The Rangers are winning about seven percent more of their draws than the Flames. If that trend continues the Flames could be chasing the game most of the night.
Prediction: Rangers win 4-2
Prop Bets of The Night
One of the two games Artemi Panarin didn’t have a point in was his last game. Seeing that he hasn’t done it often going two games in a row without a point seems unlikely. Bet on him to record 1+ points. Even if Wolf starts New York may have too much firepower. The Rangers at -1.5 are +152 on FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Main Photo: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
