Can Calgary reach the 100 points?
99 Problems for Vegas and far from a player’s paradise. Because on Thursday they have to travel to cold Calgary to face the Flames, who with their 99 points are on the cusp of the magic 100 points and want to exceed it against the Knights.
For the Knights, on the other hand, it’s all about everything – or in other words: no losing. Three points off the final playoff spot with one more game played, their postseason hopes hang by a thread.
In recent years, the Golden Knights have always been at their strongest in just these situations, but can they pull the coals out of the fire in this somewhat messed up year? At the very least, they will give the Flames a run for their money.
Our prediction for Flames vs. Golden Knights is thus also an extremely close and contested game that could end up tipping in either direction. Vegas will also be looking to make up for their 6-0 defeat in February, which they should be able to do to some degree.
Calgary Flames – Statistics & current form
The Flames come into this game having won five in a row. So far so good. It sounds like they should be the clear favourites in the matchup with the Golden Knights your. However, that’s not the case from a Betting Base perspective.
Why? Because the Canadians’ recent home record looks anything but good. Three of their last four home games were lost. Only the duel with the already beaten Seattle Kraken could be won by them.
Defence a bit more fragile lately
With 2.47 goals conceded per game, they are still the second-best defensive team in the league, but that defence has been crumbling at home lately. In their last five home games they conceded an average of 3.8 goals, including six against the Blues.
It almost seems as if the Canadians are mentally a few percentage points less focused, as they are already almost certainly qualified for the playoffs. Against teams like Seattle or San Jose recently, this was enough for victories. But does that also apply against the highly motivated Knights?
Upset potential definitely there
We see a good chance for this matchup to go with the underdog, as Vegas still has a lot more at stake and they have held Calgary very well with the exception of their last duel. Four of the last five meetings went to Vegas.
So for Flames vs. Golden Knights, betting on the away team is our favourite betting option. Not because the Knights are the big favourites, but because there are clearly better odds on them in this 50-50 duel.
Key Players:
G: Jacob Marktstrom
D: Noah Hanifin
D: Rasmus Andersson
LW: Johnny Gaudreau
C: Elias Lindholm
RW: Matthew Tkachuk
Vegas Golden Knights – Statistics & current form
The Knights just can’t get it together consistently these days. Especially not against Vancouver, against whom they have lost their last two games. However, the Canadians were the only ones to beat Vegas in their last eight games.
All the others lost to the Knights, the Predators and the Coyotes, both by 1:6. So Vegas’ form is not that bad, which should give them hope against the Flames. They won three of their last four away games.
Offense is getting better and better
After struggling to score for a long time this season, the Golden Knights have at least been able to fix that problem recently. 4.13 goals in their last eight games speaks a very offensive language, although their defence has also suffered somewhat.
Nevertheless, this philosophy seems to suit them much better, as they won six of these eight games. Against the defensively stout Flames, however, their offence will now be put to the test.
A win is a must
But since the Flames haven’t been as solid defensively in their last few games, Vegas’ chances aren’t bad at all. They will also try to play their physical superiority to impress the Flames.
That could succeed and so a close game is to be expected. Therefore, the odds on the Knights in Calgary vs. Vegas are a very good chance to pick up great value. For example, Betano offers odds of up to 3.00 for win bets.
Key Players:
G: Robin Lehner
D: Dylan Coghlan
D: Alex Pietrangelo
LW: William Karlsson
C: Jack Eichel
RW: Jonathan Marchessault
Calgary Flames – Vegas Golden Knights Head-to-head comparison / H2H record
Another point in favour of a much more open match is the direct comparison, where the Golden Knights have looked good so far. Of the 13 duels played since Vegas entered the NHL, the Knights have won nine.
If we disregard the 6-0 defeat in February, the games have also gone well for them recently. Vegas has won four of the last five meetings. In those four wins, they also scored an average of five goals.
With Vegas also looking to bounce back from that February loss, we have a lot of confidence in them on Thursday. For Calgary vs. Vegas, a bet on the Golden Knights is therefore clearly recommended in terms of value.
Calgary Flames – Vegas Golden Knights Tip
The Flames are considered the favourites, which of course makes sense based on the standings. However, it’s not that simple for Thursday, as Vegas still have something more at stake and have been convincing away from home lately.
For Flames against Knights a bet on the away team is therefore a good option. For all those who find such a bet on the underdog a bit too risky (which it shouldn’t be in the NHL), we can also recommend betting on over points.
One alternative bet for this game is to bet on the Knights to score over 2.5 goals. The oddsmakers hardly trust them to reach that mark, but Vegas’ offensive machinery has been revving up lately.
