Free NHL Picks Today: Calgary Flames vs Arizona Coyotes 12/5/22

The Calgary Flames (11-10-3) welcome the Arizona Coyotes (7-11-4), who will be hoping to halt their losing streak, at Scotiabank Saddledome on Monday. Arizona is coming off a 3-2 overtime loss against the Canucks on Saturday, their fourth defeat in a row.

The Coyotes committed eight penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals. Christian Fischer and Jakob Chychrun both scored once for the Coyotes. Karel Vejmelka only had 29 saves on 32 shots against (.906%) in the loss.

Calgary beat the Capitals 5-2 on Saturday. Andrew Mangiapane scored twice to lead the Flames. Adam Ruzicka and Mikael Backlund both had two assists to lead the team in scoring. Dan Vladar was impressive in the win, making 27 saves (.931%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Flames won all three games between the teams last season, including a 9-1 victory in their final meeting in April, their fifth straight win against Arizona. Matthew Tkachuk (2G 2A), Johnny Gaudreau (2G 2A), and Elias Lindholm (1G 3A) each had four points to lead Calgary. Nick Ritchie scored Arizona’s only goal. Jacob Markstrom got the win, saving 25 of 26 shots (.961%).

FACING OFF

Arizona is averaging 2.68 goals per game for the season, 28th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Flames team that is allowing 3.04 goals a game (13th). Meanwhile, Calgary has found the net 3.00 times a game on average, 20th in the league, and the Coyotes are allowing opponents to score 3.45 goals per game (22nd).

Calgary averages more shots (34.8) than most teams in the league, ranking fourth, though the team’s 8.7% shooting percentage is 28th. With an average of 24.1 attempts, Arizona ranks 32nd. Don’t be surprised to see a few power play opportunities for the Flames, as the Coyotes are averaging 5.45 penalties per game, most in the NHL.

The visitors’ 12.32 penalty minutes a game ranks fourth-highest. The home team has been penalized 4.42 times a game (12th) for an average of 9.54 minutes (16th). The Coyotes’ 22.67% power play percentage ranks 16th in the league, while the Flames are 26th with a conversion rate of 18.18%. When it comes to penalty killing, Calgary has the league’s 12th-ranked PK% at 79.31%, while Arizona is 19th at 78.12%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 21 points this season, Clayton Keller is the top skater for the Coyotes. He has seven goals and 14 assists in 22 games. In the net, Vejmelka (6-6-2) is Arizona’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.04 GAA and a .913% save percentage.

Lindholm (18 points), Tyler Toffoli (17), and Rasmus Andersson (17) lead the Flames in scoring. Lindholm has eight goals and 10 assists, while Toffoli has eight goals and nine assists in 24 games.

Andersson has three goals and 14 assists. Markstrom (8-6-2) is the top goalie for Calgary with a goals against average of 2.97. He has a save percentage of .889%.