The Calgary Flames (13-10-3) will be out to extend their winning streak when they are on the road to take on the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets (8-15-2) at Nationwide Arena on Friday. Calgary is coming off a high-scoring 5-3 win over the Wild on Wednesday, their third win in a row.
The Flames committed four penalties in the game, though they held Minnesota without a power play goal. Tyler Toffoli led the Flames with two goals. Rasmus Andersson and Elias Lindholm both had two assists to lead the team in scoring. Dan Vladar allowed three goals on 28 shots against (.892%) in the win.
Columbus lost for the third game in a row, falling 9-4 to the Sabres on Wednesday. Patrik Laine and Gustav Nyquist both scored twice for the Blue Jackets. Joonas Korpisalo started in the loss and saved only six of nine shots (.666%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Flames won both games between the teams last season, including a 6-2 victory in their final meeting in February, their sixth straight win against Columbus. Lindholm led Calgary with three points (1G 2A). Adam Boqvist and Zach Werenski were on the scoresheet for Columbus. Vladar got the win, saving 18 of 20 shots (.900%).
FACING OFF
Calgary is averaging 3.08 goals per game for the season, 20th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blue Jackets team that is allowing 4.16 goals a game (32nd). Meanwhile, Columbus has found the net 2.84 times a game on average, 26th in the league, and the Flames are allowing opponents to score 3.00 goals per game (11th).
Calgary averages more shots/game (34.2) than most teams in the league, ranking fifth, though the team’s 9.1% shooting percentage is 27th. Columbus has struggled with stopping shots, ranking No. 29 with a team save percentage of .887%.
The Blue Jackets’ 14.29% power play percentage is the worst in the league, while the Flames rank 23rd with a conversion rate of 20.93%. When it comes to defending power plays, Calgary has the league’s ninth-ranked PK% at 80.65%, while Columbus is 21st at 75.61%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 22 points this season, Lindholm is the top skater for the Flames. He has nine goals and 13 assists in 26 games. In the net, Vladar (4-4-1) is Calgary’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.54 GAA and a .914% save percentage. Jacob Markstrom (8-6-2) leads the Flames in games played in goal.
He has a GAA of 2.97 and a save percentage of .889%. Johnny Gaudreau leads the Blue Jackets in scoring with 28 points. He has nine goals and 19 assists. Korpisalo (4-5-1) has the best goals against average for Columbus at 3.51. He has a save percentage of .905%.
HOME AND AWAY
Calgary is looking to avoid a fourth successive defeat away from home this season. Columbus is looking to reverse a five-game losing skid at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Calgary Flames -1.5 1st Period (+350)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
