Free NHL Picks Today: Calgary Flames vs New York Rangers 2/18/23

The New York Rangers (+115) will be out to add to their winning streak when they are on the road to take on the Calgary Flames (-135) at Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday.

The total is 6.5 (O: -120, U: +100)New York (33-14-8) is playing their last of four games on the road with the second of a back-to-back after earning a high-scoring 5-4 shootout win over the Oilers yesterday, their seventh win in a row.

The Rangers committed four penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals. Chris Kreider was the top goalscorer for the Rangers with two goals. Igor Shesterkin allowed four goals on 29 shots against (.862%) in the win.

Calgary (25-19-11) fell 5-2 to the Red Wings on Thursday. Elias Lindholm and Dillon Dube each scored once for the Flames. Dan Vladar saved only 19 of 24 shots against (.791%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Rangers won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 5-4 (OT) victory on February 6. Mika Zibanejad led New York with three points (2G 1A).

Blake Coleman (1G 1A), Andrew Mangiapane (1G 1A), and Mikael Backlund (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Calgary. Jaroslav Halak got the win despite allowing four goals on 32 shots (.875%).

FACING OFF

New York is averaging 3.38 goals per game for the season, eighth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Flames team that is allowing 3.04 goals a game (15th).

Meanwhile, Calgary has found the net 3.15 times a game on average, 16th in the league, and the Rangers are allowing opponents to score 2.67 goals per game (7th).

Calgary averages more shots per game (35.4) than most teams in the league, ranking second, though the team’s 8.9% shooting percentage is 29th. With an average of 32.3 attempts, New York ranks 14th.

The Rangers’ 22.62% power play percentage ranks 13th in the league, while the Flames are 24th with a conversion rate of 19.19%. In terms of defending power plays, Calgary has the league’s sixth-ranked PK% at 82.32%, while New York is 17th at 79.49%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Artemi Panarin and Zibanejad have been the top skaters for the Rangers this season with 64 and 60 points. Panarin is among the league leaders with his 46 assists (9th).

In the net, Shesterkin (24-8-7) is New York’s top goaltender. He has a 2.52 GAA and a .915% save percentage. Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli lead the Flames in scoring with 49 and 48 points, respectively.

Lindholm has 16 goals and 33 assists, while Toffoli has 22 goals and 26 assists in 55 games. Vladar (11-6-4) has the best goals against average for Calgary at 2.84. He has a save percentage of .899%. Jacob Markstrom (14-13-7) has played the most games in net for the Flames this season. He has a 2.93 GAA and a .891% save percentage.

HOME AND AWAY

New York has won three straight away from home this season. Calgary is 14-10-2 at Scotiabank Saddledome this season. Meanwhile, the Rangers are 5-4 without a day off and 4-3 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Flames are 4-2 with a rest advantage.