Free NHL Picks Today: Calgary Flames vs Washington Capitals 12/3/22

Free NHL Picks Today: Calgary Flames vs Washington Capitals 12/3/22
Sat 3rd December 2022

The Washington Capitals (10-11-4) head to take on the Calgary Flames (10-10-3) at Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday. Washington is coming off a 3-2 overtime loss against the Kraken on Thursday. The Capitals took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring once on four shots, while also conceding a power play goal.

Conor Sheary and Martin Fehervary each scored once for the Capitals. Sheary added an assist to share the scoring lead with Alex Ovechkin, who had two assists. Darcy Kuemper saved only 22 of 25 shots against (.880%) in the loss.

Calgary fell 2-1 to the Canadiens on Thursday. Elias Lindholm netted the lone goal for the Flames. Jacob Markstrom only had 17 saves on 19 shots against (.894%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Capitals won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-0 victory in November. T.J. Oshie (1G 1A), Ovechkin (1G 1A), and Sonny Milano (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Washington. Kuemper saved 32 shots to earn the shutout win.

FACING OFF

Washington is averaging 2.76 goals per game for the season, 27th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Flames team that is allowing 3.09 goals a game (15th). Meanwhile, Calgary has found the net 2.91 times a game on average, 22nd in the league, and the Capitals are allowing opponents to score 3.04 goals per game (12th).

Calgary averages more shots a game (34.7) than most teams in the league, ranking fourth, though the team’s 8.5% shooting percentage is 30th. With an average of 29.8 attempts, Washington ranks 26th.

The Capitals’ 20.45% power play percentage ranks 21st in the league, while the Flames are 24th with a conversion rate of 18.92%. In terms of defending power plays, Washington has the league’s 12th-ranked PK% at 79.73%, while Calgary is 14th at 79.52%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 25 points this season, Ovechkin is the top skater for the Capitals. He is among the league leaders with 13 goals (8th) and has added 12 assists.

In the net, Kuemper (8-9-1) is Washington’s top goaltender. He has a 2.50 GAA and a .917% save percentage. Lindholm (17 points), Tyler Toffoli (16), and Rasmus Andersson (16) lead the Flames in scoring.

Lindholm has seven goals and 10 assists, while Toffoli has eight goals and eight assists in 23 games. Andersson has three goals and 13 assists. Dan Vladar (2-4-1) has the best goals against average for Calgary at 2.70. He has a save percentage of .913%. Markstrom (8-5-2) has played the most games in net for the Flames this season. He has a 3.03 GAA and a .889% save percentage.

HOME AND AWAY

Washington is 3-7-3 on the road this season. Calgary is 7-5-1 at home this season.

SportsTips’ NHL Pick:

Calgary Flames (-165)

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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.

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