Tonight the Canucks take on one of their most hated division rivals, the Calgary Flames. Both these teams find themselves at opposite ends of the division standings, with the Canucks in a tie for first while the Flames are 13 points behind in sixth place. There are some storylines coming in as the Flames are active on the trade market, trying to move on from some of their expiring defensemen, whom the Canucks have shown interest in. Tonight should allow both teams to do live scouting on any players in a potential trade.
Game Preview
The Canucks are on the latter half of a back-to-back after defeating the New York Islanders in overtime just last night. The Flames come into tonight’s game more rested, as this is only their second game in five nights. Canucks are winners in eight of their last ten games, while the Flames have only won three of their last ten games. These teams seem to alternate wins recently but have gone over the game total of 6.5 in five of the last seven head-to-head matchups. The Canucks are currently a +130 underdog, which seems a little fishy to me, considering where both these teams are in the standings. I’ll be staying away from a side or line in this game.
Player Props
Elias Pettersson Goal (+170)
Pettersson hasn’t scored in three straight games, which has happened seven times since January 12th of this calendar year. In all seven games following, he has scored at least one goal. Pettersson has scored in three straight and four of his last five games against the Flames. Vancouver averages the most goals per game this season, while Calgary allows the ninth most goals against per game.
Conor Garland Over 1.5 Shots On Goal (-155)
The Joshua-Blueger-Garland line played very well last night, buzzing around in the offensive zone. Garland only landed on one shot on goal but had six shot attempts. Outside of last night’s miss, Garland has cleared in six straight, averaging 3.3 shots on goal on 5.5 shot attempts. Garland also has great history against the Flames, clearing this line in four of his last five, averaging 2.8 shots on goal on 5.0 shot attempts. With Kuzmenko’s availability in jeopardy after getting hit up high from a Miller slap shot, Garland could see an elevated role in the offence on the top line with Pettersson.
Nazem Kadri Point (-120)
Kadri has found impressive chemistry with rookie Connor Zary since being called up six games ago. Over those six games, Kadri has points in five of them, totalling seven points. Kadri is currently on an eight-game point streak against the Canucks, totalling ten points. The Flames get Casey DeSmith tonight, who has a 2.67 goals-against average on the season.
Canucks vs Flames Best Bets:
Elias Pettersson Goal (+170) for .5 of a unit.
Conor Garland Over 1.5 Shots On Goal (-155) for 1 unit.
Nazem Kadri Point (-120) for 1 unit.
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