Prior to the start of the season, NHL pundits make their picks for the season, assigning a projected point total for all 31 teams in the league. Every year, we see a few teams fall well short of expectations, which opens the door for other teams to blow past their projected total. Things can change dramatically in the second half of the season, which is where we are now, especially once moves have been made at the trade deadline.
As it stands at the moment, though, the Washington Capitals are off their expected pace and are in the midst of a horrible slump that has seen them surrender the division lead and slide down the rankings. Their opponents on Friday night, the Calgary Flames, are one of the teams that are on pace to shatter their preseason point total projections, and they may be looking at this one as an opportunity to continue their current brilliant form. Given all that information, it’s probably no real surprise that the Flames are favored by 1 ½ here, with the goal total set at 6.
Flames vs Capitals NHL Betting Lines & Expert Analysis
.@BParkerTV sets up tonight’s clash with the Caps in Game Day, brought to you by @HyattInfiniti!#CGYvsWSH | #Flames pic.twitter.com/IhcUkt7Ccz
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) 1 de febrero de 2019
- When: Friday, February 1 at 7 PM EST
- Where: Verizon Center, Washington
- TV: ESPN+
- Radio: TuneIn/NHL
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Betting Lines: Calgary Flames -1.5 (Total 6)
Lightning vs Islanders NHL Week 18 Odds & Game Info
Why bet on the Calgary Flames?
We all had an idea that the Flames were going to be good on the offensive side of the ice given the amazing young talent they have there, but they are also getting great defense and goaltending. The end result is a team that appears to have very few flaws and who is now a legitimate threat to win it all.
The Flames were on a hot streak heading into the break, winning 3 in a row and going 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. While Calgary has been close to invincible at home, they have also been a solid bet on the road, posting a 17-6 record. They lost earlier in the season to the Capitals on home ice in OT, but they have also won in 3 of their last 4 trips to the capital, so certainly nothing for them to fear here.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.73
- Shots: 31.80
- PP/PK Percentage: 23.60
Defense
- Goals: 2.84
- Shots: 28.78
- PP/PK Percentage: 21.25
Why bet on the Washington Capitals?
While the Capitals have managed to pick up a few points from OT losses over the last 10 games, they are still coming into this one on a 7-game losing skid, a run that has seen them fall all the way down to the #3 spot in the Metropolitan Division. They are in real danger of slipping into the Wild Card zone, but they will take some heart in being on home ice for this one, where they are 13-8-4 on the season.
On the negative side of things, the Capitals have struggled against teams from the Western Conference, sitting 2 games below .500 at 8-10-3. While they did take the earlier meeting versus the Flames this season, it broke a streak of 2 straight losses to Calgary. The Capitals are going to need to tighten up defensively versus the Flames, as they have now surrendered 21 goals in their last 3 games.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.42
- Shots: 29.98
- PP/PK Percentage: 21.77
Defense
- Goals: 3.24
- Shots: 32.28
- PP/PK Percentage: 22.73
Golden Knights vs Hurricanes NHL Odds & Betting Preview
Flames vs Capitals NHL Betting Trends
- Calgary is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Washington
- Calgary is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Calgary’s last 5 games on the road
- Washington is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Washington is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington’s last 9 games at home
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Flames vs Capitals
The Capitals are too good to remain mired in this slump for much longer, but I am not convinced that tonight is when they break out of it. The Flames are flying right now, scoring a ton of goals in the process. I think they get another win here.
Score: Calgary Flames 5 – Washington Capitals 3
