The Calgary Flames (22-16-9), one of the league’s weakest power play offenses, play host to the Columbus Blue Jackets (14-30-2) and their stifling penalty killing defense at Scotiabank Saddledome on Monday. Columbus is embarking on a four-game road trip coming off a high-scoring 5-3 win over the Sharks on Saturday, breaking a three-game losing streak.
The Blue Jackets committed only two penalties in the game, holding San Jose without a power play goal. Five players found the net for the Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo allowed three goals on 25 shots against (.880%) in the win.
Calgary beat the Lightning 6-3 on Saturday. Six players found the net for the Flames. Rasmus Andersson scored and provided two assists to share the scoring lead with Noah Hanifin, who had three assists. Dan Vladar surrendered three goals on 24 shots (.875%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Blue Jackets won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-1 victory in December. Patrik Laine, Sean Kuraly, and Eric Robinson were on the scoresheet for Columbus. Michael Stone scored Calgary’s only goal. Elvis Merzlikins got the win, saving 19 of 20 shots (.950%).
FACING OFF
Columbus is averaging 2.57 goals per game for the season, 29th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Flames team that is allowing 2.96 goals a game (14th). Meanwhile, Calgary has found the net 3.11 times a game on average, 19th in the league, and the Blue Jackets are allowing opponents to score 3.89 goals per game (30th).
Calgary averages more shots a game (35.0) than most teams in the league, ranking second, though the team’s 8.9% shooting percentage is 30th. Columbus has proven to be one of the league’s less successful shot-stopping teams, ranking No. 28 with a team save percentage of .893%.
The Blue Jackets’ 31st-ranked power play offense (15.13%) will be put to the test against the Flames, who are the league’s fourth-best penalty killing team (83.43%).
Calgary, meanwhile, has scored on 20.00% of their power play opportunities (22nd), which the home team will be looking to improve on against Columbus’ 18th-ranked 77.33% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 44 points this season, Johnny Gaudreau is the top skater for the Blue Jackets. He has 13 goals and 31 assists in 46 games. In the net, Korpisalo (6-8-1) is Columbus’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.28 GAA and a .908% save percentage. Merzlikins (5-13-0) leads the Blue Jackets in games played in goal.
He has a GAA of 4.48 and a save percentage of .868%.Elias Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli lead the Flames in scoring with 42 and 40 points, respectively. Lindholm has 14 goals and 28 assists in 46 games, while Toffoli has 17 goals and 23 assists in 47 games.
Vladar (8-4-4) has the best goals against average for Calgary at 2.79. He has a save percentage of .905%. Jacob Markstrom (13-12-5) has played the most games in net for the Flames this season. He has a 2.82 GAA and a .895% save percentage.
HOME AND AWAY
Columbus is 3-15-1 on the road this season. Calgary is 13-8-2 at Scotiabank Saddledome this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Calgary Flames -1.5 (-140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
