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Calgary vs. Vancouver: NHL Match Prediction
The Canadian derby awaits us on the first day of the new calendar year. On January 1, Calgary and Vancouver will play in Alberta. The teams are neighbors in the Western Conference standings and are engaged in a fierce battle for a place in the top eight. This season, the teams have already met each other twice and exchanged victories in British Columbia, where the Canucks' home arena is located. What will the third match be like? Find out from our prediction for the game
Command Analysis
Calgary Flames
CanadaCurrent form
Calgary has once again been knocked out of the playoff spot in the West, losing its last game of 2024. During this season, the team from Alberta has regularly broken into the top clubs in the conference, but has been unable to consolidate its position. The Canadians have scored 41 points in 36 games and have mostly won on home ice. The second half of December began for the Flames with a series of games on their home ice. Mikael Backlund team ended it with a big win over Chicago (6:4), after which they went to California. There, the Flames beat San Jose (3:1), but the next day they were unable to score against Vegas (0:3). The game was very viscous, Ryan Husky charges never beat Ilya Samsonov.
The Flames have consistently been good in attack and have scored 14 goals in their last five games, although they did not score in the last game. Jonathan Huberdeau became the team top scorer and outscored other Calgary forwards. The Canadian scored 27 points (15+12) in the goal+pass system and is among the league top 100 scoring players. He is followed by Nazem Kadri with 25 points (13+12).
Daniel Vladar quickly recovered from his injury and returned to action. The Czech goalie saved 89.02% of shots and had two clean sheets in 18 starts. Dustin Wolfe is playing slightly better, with a 91.20% save percentage.
Disqualifications and injuries
Anthony Mantha and Justin Kirkland will not take part in the upcoming fight.
Interesting trends for betting
- On average, Calgary allows at least 29 shots per game to its opponents.
The "Lights" play on counterattacks, so it is not surprising that the opponent, acting first number, often makes more shots
- Calgary gets 9.5 minutes in penalty time
The Flames are statistically penalized at least four times per game.
Vancouver Canucks
CanadaCurrent form
Vancouver showed good results during the calendar year and was consistently among the eight best clubs in the conference. The team from the province of British Columbia did not play well in December and moved to the eighth position in the East, risking to fly out of the playoff zone. The Canadians earned 42 points in 35 starts and are only one point ahead of their competitors from Calgary. The Canadians lost four of the previous five matches. Rick Tocchet charges lost to Ottawa (4:5, OT) at the beginning of the home series, won against San Jose (4:3), and then lost to Seattle (4:5, OT). In the game against the Kraken, the then hosts lost a three-goal advantage by the 43rd minute.
Despite injuries to Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, Vancouver has 15 shots in its last five games. With its leading scorer sidelined, Kevin Garland (9+19) and Jake DeBrusk (16+11) are stepping up to the plate. They have combined for 55 goals and assists this season.
The Killer Whales have been let down by a weak defensive performance in the second half of December. The Canadian club has allowed 16 goals in five previous starts and lost three times in overtime. Kevin Lankinen has lost his previous form, so Thatcher Demko got his chance. The Canadian goalie was unable to show his best side and stopped only 87.86% of shots.
Disqualifications and injuries
Filip Hronek, Quinn Hughes and Elias Petersson will not be in Canada this Wednesday.
Interesting trends for betting
- Vancouver shoots more than 25 times per game
The visitors don't try to shoot from any position and this strategy often brings the desired result to the Canucks.
- The "Killers" perform more than 28 power moves per match
Rick Tocchet men love contact hockey and don't give their opponents much space.
Trends
Bet 1st period: total under 1.5 goals
In the last two games involving Calgary, the first period was not productive
1.90Bet 1st period: Calgary will not lose
The Flames have not lost in the opening period in seven games in a row.
1.37Tip and bets
Calgary is very good at home and has scored the lion share of its points in Alberta. The hosts have some problems with creating chances, but they are quite reliable in defense. Vancouver has lost two of its best scorers and its captain. The Canucks have not been playing very well lately and have lost a lot of points. The Flames were able to defeat the Killer Whales in one of their two away games. We believe that Ryan Huskey team will deal with their opponent within regulation time. We offer a bet on a zero handicap for the first.
Prediction - Calgary win with Asian handicap (0) for 1.85
Bet on individual total
Vancouver is scoring just 2.53 goals on the road this season. The Canadian team is missing two of their best scorers, without whom it will be even more difficult to score. Calgary is reliable in defense, especially when playing on home ice. In their last game against the Canucks, the Flames allowed only one goal. We think they will not fail in defense this time either.
We take Vancouver individual total of less than three goals for 1.58
Total Bet
Most games involving Calgary are not productive. The team from the province of Alberta plays with an eye on its own goal and rarely allows opponents to freely dispose of the puck in its own zone. Away Vancouver is generally similar in style and without leaders, Rick Tocchet team is unlikely to run forward from the first seconds. Let play a bet on the total under.
We bet on a total of less than six goals for 1.62
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