Welcome 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. Today we’re looking at the Calgary Flames vs the Montreal Canadiens. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions every day there’s hockey this season.
NHL Predictions
Calgary Flames (6-5-1) vs Montreal Canadiens (4-7-1)
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: TSN2, RDS, SNW, ESPN+
2023-2024 season series: Calgary won (2-0)
Montreal and Calgary will play their first head-to-head game of the season tonight. Both teams are rebuilding their teams for the future. However, through 12 games this season the two teams have flipped from pre-season expectations to where they actually sit.
Montreal hired Geoff Gorton as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations in November 2021. At that time he was tasked with rebuilding the Canadiens into a true contender. In the following season, Montreal stockpiled draft picks and young players. They have built a good pipeline of young talent including; Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, just to name a few. This season was supposed to be the year that this young group took a step forward and competed for the playoffs. However, it hasn’t been an ideal start to the season in Montreal.
In contrast, the Calgary Flames started their rebuild last season. Trading away many of their top veterans and their starting goaltender to gain young prospects and draft picks. Heading into the season, most expected the Flames to finish near the bottom of the league. Despite the expectations, the Flames got off to a hot start and find themselves in a wildcard spot in the West. Let’s take a look at how these two teams stack up heading into their first head-to-head matchup of the season.
Calgary Look To Bounce Back
Calgary is coming off a tough loss at home against their provincial rivals, Edmonton. The Flames fell behind 2-0 just eight minutes into the game. Following a tough start the Flames battled back and controlled much of the play in the third period, however, they fell just short of tying the game. In their previous game, the Flames played one of their best games of the season, shutting out a very good New Jersey Devils team 3-0.
Overall the Flames have looked good in their last two games and appear to be back to playing the style that got them off to their best start in franchise history. The Flames have been getting solid goaltending from both goalies, Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf. They are being led offensively by veterans Jonathan Huberdeau and Rasmus Andersson. If the Flames can continue to play a hard-nosed style of hockey where they outwork opponents they may find themselves making the playoffs come the end of the season.
Montreal Needs to Stop Their Slide
The Montreal Canadiens are in the midst of a three-game losing streak. This includes two bad losses to Seattle and Washington. Montreal sits 29th in the league in goals against which is contributing to their lack of success. They have a talented but young defence core which can lead to defensive breakdowns and turnovers. Heading into the season, Montreal hoped they had found a true number-one goaltender in Sam Montembeault. Unfortunately, Montembeault hasn’t been able to play elite goaltending and cover up for Montreal’s defensive flaws.
The Canadiens are being led offensively by captain Nick Suzuki and star forward Cole Caufield who is tied for the league lead with 10 goals. If Montreal hopes to turn their season around they’ll need more offence from their depth forwards and to tighten up defensively. A win against Calgary would be huge for Montreal before they set out on a tough four-game road trip.
Prediction
Here’s the prediction part of the NHL Predictions. Montreal should come out with a strong effort tonight. They should be desperate to win and end their losing streak. With Calgary traveling across the country Montreal should have an advantage. Expect them to push Calgary in a very competitive game.
Calgary is back to playing the style they need to win. They are playing physical, hard-nosed, hard-working hockey. Right now they are playing better than Montreal and although Montreal should bring their best effort, Calgary should be prepared. They should have learned they don’t have the talent to take nights off against any team in this league. If Calgary can stay disciplined, expect them to outlast the Canadiens.
Prediction: Flames win 4-2
Prop Bets of the Night
BET365 has the over/under for total goals at 6.5 which is too close to our predicted 6 goal total so we are staying away.
On the Montreal side of things, we like taking Mike Matheson to go over 0.5 assists at +176, as he’s tied for the team lead with 9 assists on the year. We also like Kirby Dach to go over 0.5 points at +210 now that he’s playing on the top line.
On Calgary’s side we like taking Andrei Kuzmenko to go over 0.5 points at +315 coming off a game where he looked dangerous against the Oilers.
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Main Photo: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
