Free NHL Picks Today: Detroit Red Wings vs Calgary Flames 2/9/23

The Calgary Flames (24-17-10) travel to take on the Detroit Red Wings (21-20-8) at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday. Calgary is coming off a high-scoring 5-4 overtime loss against the Rangers on Monday. The Flames committed eight penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal.

Four players found the net for the Flames. Jacob Markstrom only had 28 saves on 33 shots against (.848%) in the loss. Detroit fell 5-2 to the Oilers on Tuesday. Joe Veleno and Tyler Bertuzzi each scored once for the Red Wings. Ville Husso saved only 22 of 26 shots against (.846%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Flames won both games between the teams last season, including a 3-0 victory in their final meeting in March, their sixth straight win against Detroit. Matthew Tkachuk led Calgary with two points (0G 2A). Markstrom saved 19 shots to earn the shutout win.

FACING OFF

Calgary is averaging 3.14 goals per game for the season, 16th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Red Wings team that is allowing 3.31 goals a game (21st). Meanwhile, Detroit has found the net 2.98 times a game on average, 24th in the league, and the Flames are allowing opponents to score 3.02 goals per game (14th).

Calgary averages more shots per game (35.3) than most teams in the league, ranking second, though the team’s 8.9% shooting percentage is 30th. Detroit’s average of 29.6 attempts ranks 26th.

The Red Wings’ 19.53% power play percentage ranks 23rd in the league, while the Flames are 24th with a conversion rate of 19.38%. Calgary has been equally strong at penalty killing, boasting the league’s fifth-highest PK% at 82.97%. Detroit ranks 20th at 76.76%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Elias Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli have been the top skaters for the Flames this season with 46 and 43 points. In the net, Dan Vladar (11-4-4) is Calgary’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.77 GAA and a .904% save percentage.

Markstrom (13-13-6) leads the Flames in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 2.93 and a save percentage of .892%. Dylan Larkin leads the Red Wings in scoring with 44 points. He has 15 goals and 29 assists. Husso (17-11-5) has the best goals against average for Detroit at 3.00. He has a save percentage of .901%.