Free NHL Picks Today: Calgary Flames vs Vegas Golden Knights 3/23/23

The Calgary Flames (32-25-15) host the Vegas Golden Knights (44-21-6) at Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday. Vegas is coming off a 4-3 win over the Canucks on Tuesday, their fifth win in a row away from home.

The Golden Knights committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. Four players found the net for the Golden Knights. William Karlsson had two assists to lead the team in scoring. Jonathan Quick had 31 saves in the win.

Calgary beat the Ducks 5-1 on Tuesday. Five players found the net for the Flames. Tyler Toffoli had three assists to lead the team in scoring. Dan Vladar saved 19 of 20 shots in the win (.950%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Flames have won two of the three games between the teams this season, including a 7-2 victory in their most recent meeting on March 16. Toffoli led Calgary with four points (2G 2A). Reilly Smith led Vegas with two points (1G 1A). Jacob Markstrom got the win despite saving only 17 of 19 shots (.894%).

FACING OFF

Vegas is averaging 3.25 goals per game for the season, 15th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Flames team that is allowing 3.08 goals a game (14th).

Meanwhile, Calgary has found the net 3.14 times a game on average, 17th in the league, and the Golden Knights are allowing opponents to score 2.77 goals per game (10th).

Calgary averages more shots (35.5) than most teams in the league, ranking second, though the team’s 8.9% shooting percentage is 32nd. With an average of 31.9 attempts, Vegas ranks 14th.

The Golden Knights’ 20.67% power play percentage ranks 18th in the league, while the Flames are 21st with a conversion rate of 20.09%. In terms of defending power plays, Calgary has the league’s 10th-ranked PK% at 82.11%, while Vegas is 17th at 79.29%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 54 points apiece this season, Jack Eichel (26G 28A) and Chandler Stephenson (13G 41A) are the top skaters for the Golden Knights. In the net, Adin Hill (16-7-1) is Vegas’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.49 GAA and a .914% save percentage.

Logan Thompson (20-13-3) leads the Golden Knights in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 2.66 and a save percentage of .914%.Toffoli and Elias Lindholm lead the Flames in scoring with 65 and 61 points, respectively. Toffoli has 29 goals and 36 assists in 72 games, while Lindholm has 21 goals and 40 assists.

Vladar (13-6-5) has the best goals against average for Calgary at 2.91. He has a save percentage of .893%. Markstrom (19-19-10) has played the most games in net for the Flames this season. He has a 2.98 GAA and a .889% save percentage.