The Tampa Bay Lightning (9-6-1) welcome the Calgary Flames (7-6-2) at Amalie Arena on Thursday. Calgary is playing their first of seven games on the road coming off a high-scoring 6-5 win over the Kings on Monday. The Flames committed four penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal.
Six players found the net for the Flames. Elias Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli both scored and provided two assists to lead the team in scoring. Jacob Markstrom allowed five goals on 29 shots against (.827%) in the win. Tampa Bay beat the Stars 5-4 (OT) on Tuesday. Five players found the net for the Lightning.
Alex Killorn scored and provided two assists to lead the team in scoring. Brian Elliott surrendered four goals on 32 shots (.875%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 4-1 victory for the Flames in March. Johnny Gaudreau led Calgary with three goals. Killorn scored Tampa Bay’s only goal. Markstrom got the win, saving 30 of 31 shots (.967%).
FACING OFF
Calgary is averaging 3.13 goals per game for the season, 16th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Lightning team that is allowing 3.25 goals a game (18th). Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has found the net 3.38 times a game on average, 11th in the league, and the Flames are allowing opponents to score 3.33 goals per game (22nd).
Calgary averages more shots a game (35.9) than most teams in the league, ranking third, though the team’s 8.7% shooting percentage is 28th. Tampa Bay’s average of 31.8 attempts ranks 15th. The Lightning’s 22.73% power play percentage ranks 12th in the league, while the Flames are 18th with a conversion rate of 20.00%.
In terms of defending power plays, Calgary has the league’s eighth-ranked PK% at 81.67%, while Tampa Bay is 12th at 80.33%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Nazem Kadri and Lindholm have been the top skaters for the Flames this season with 14 and 13 points. In the net, Markstrom (6-3-2) is Calgary’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.06 GAA and a .889% save percentage.
Nikita Kucherov leads the Lightning in scoring with 23 points (7th in the league). He has seven goals and 16 assists (6th). Andrei Vasilevskiy (5-5-1) is the top goalie for Tampa Bay with a goals against average of 3.10. He has a save percentage of .898%.
HOME AND AWAY
Calgary is looking to avoid a fourth successive defeat away from home this season. Tampa Bay is 5-2-1 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Over 6.5 Goals (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
