Calgary Flames vs Vancouver Canucks 12/31/22 NHL Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames meet Saturday in NHL action at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Vancouver Canucks have split their last 8 games. The Calgary Flames have split their last 8 games.

The Vancouver Canucks are averaging 3.5 goals per game and are scoring on 26.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Bo Horvat leads Vancouver with 26 goals, Quinn Hughes has 29 assists and Elias Pettersson has 105 shots on goal. Defensively, the Vancouver Canucks are allowing 3.8 goals per game and are killing 68 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Thatcher Demko has given up 56 goals on 479 shots faced, and Spencer Martin has allowed 65 goals on 568 shots.

The Calgary Flames are averaging 3.1 goals per game and are scoring on 19.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Tyler Toffoli leads Calgary with 15 goals, Elias Lindholm has 22 assists and Nazem Kadri has 120 shots on goal. Defensively, the Calgary Flames are allowing 3 goals per game and are killing 80.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jacob Markstrom has allowed 69 goals on 654 shots faced, and Dan Vladar has given up 36 goals on 380 shots.

The Canucks are 7-1 in their last 8 road games and 2-7 in their last 9 Saturday games. The Flames are 16-6 in their last 22 Saturday games and 21-8 in their last 29 games playing on 2 days rest. The over is 16-5-2 in Canucks last 23 road games. The over is 18-8-1 in Flames last 27 Saturday games. The Canucks are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in Calgary and 5-11 in the last 16 meetings. The home team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.

Both of these teams have been hit or miss this season. The Calgary Flames should have the edge at home, especially when they’re far and away more trustworthy defensively. However, the Canucks have played some of their best hockey on the road and this big plus money is worth a look. I’ll take a stab with the Canucks and the potential big pay out.