Canadiens vs. Flames Pick
Will the Montreal Canadiens get the job done as a favorite tonight when they play at the Calgary Flames? Game time is 9PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Flames are listed as a -145 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Canadiens are a +115 underdog, while the total is set at 5.5 goals.
Montreal is 15-15-3-1 after a 7-5 victory Wednesday at the Canucks. Calgary is 18-14-1-2 following a 2-1 home win Wednesday against the Blues. The Flames won the first meeting by a count of 3-2 in overtime at Montreal on Dec. 7. Calgary has gone 2-1 in three meetings since the start of last season. The over-under is 1-1-1.
The Canadiens were led by Nicolas Deslauriers with two goals in the win at Vancouver. Daniel Carr, Phillip Danault and Jeff Petry each notched a goal and an assist. Paul Byron and Alex Galchenyuk both added a goal. Max Pacioretty dished out two assists. Carey Price made 34 saves on 39 shots in the winning effort. Byron made the score 5-3 with 18:23 left in the third period and Montreal held on from there.
Dougie Hamilton scored the game-winner at the 12:03 mark of the third period to lift Calgary to the victory over St. Louis. Michael Frolik scored the other goal. Mike Smith turned away 21 of 22 shots to register the win.
Montreal is 2-8 in its last 10 meetings in Calgary. The road team is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
The Canadiens lit up the lamp with regularity in their last game and expect it to continue tonight against a beatable Calgary back end. Price is usually solid in net and he should do enough to keep the Flames held in check. Montreal is in desperate need of a push forward and this would be a great spot to keep it rolling.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: MONTREAL CANADIENS +115