Free NHL Picks Today: Seattle Kraken vs Calgary Flames 12/28/22

The Calgary Flames (-110) head to take on the Seattle Kraken (-110) at Climate Pledge Arena on Wednesday. The total is 6 (O: -115, U: -105)Calgary (16-13-7) is playing the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 2-1 loss against the Oilers yesterday. The Flames conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own limited power play opportunities.

Mikael Backlund scored the only goal in regulation for the Flames. Jacob Markstrom saved only 20 of 22 shots against (.909%) in the loss.Seattle (18-10-4) fell 6-5 (SO) to the Canucks on Thursday. Daniel Sprong scored twice in regulation to lead the Kraken. Martin Jones saved only 32 of 37 shots against (.864%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Kraken won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 5-4 victory in November. Oliver Bjorkstrand led Seattle with two points (0G 2A). Tyler Toffoli (1G 1A) and Elias Lindholm (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Calgary. Joey Daccord got the win, saving 36 of 40 shots (.900%).

FACING OFF

Calgary is averaging 3.06 goals per game for the season, 21st in the NHL, and they are taking on a Kraken team that is allowing 3.22 goals a game (18th). Meanwhile, Seattle has found the net 3.53 times a game on average, sixth in the league, and the Flames are allowing opponents to score 3.00 goals per game (14th).

Calgary averages more shots a game (34.7) than most teams in the league, ranking fifth, though the team’s 8.9% shooting percentage is 28th. Seattle has proven to be one of the league’s least successful shot-stopping teams, ranking No. 30 with a team save percentage of .886%.

The Kraken’s 21.21% power play percentage ranks 18th in the league, while the Flames are 22nd with a conversion rate of 19.33%. Seattle has been poor at penalty killing, as the home team possesses the league’s second-lowest PK% at 68.93%. Calgary’s 81.29% ranks eighth in the NHL.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 32 points this season, Lindholm is the top skater for the Flames. He has 11 goals and 21 assists in 35 games. In the net, Markstrom (11-8-4) is Calgary’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.84 GAA and a .894% save percentage.

Andre Burakovsky leads the Kraken in scoring with 28 points. He has 10 goals and 18 assists. Jones (14-5-3) has the best goals against average for Seattle at 2.99. He has a save percentage of .888%.

HOME AND AWAY

Calgary is 6-6-5 away from Scotiabank Saddledome this season. Seattle is 9-6-2 at Climate Pledge Arena this season. Meanwhile, the Flames are 1-3 without a day off and 1-2 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Kraken are 5-2 with a rest advantage.