The Calgary Flames (9-7-3) travel to take on the Washington Capitals (8-10-3) at Capital One Arena on Friday. Calgary is coming off a 2-1 shootout loss against the Penguins on Wednesday. Dillon Dube was the only player to find the net for the Flames. Dan Vladar had a terrific performance with 38 saves (.974%) in the loss.
Washington beat the Flyers 3-2 (OT) on Wednesday. Alex Ovechkin, Marcus Johansson, and Sonny Milano scored one apiece for the Capitals. Ovechkin added an assist to share the scoring lead with T.J. Oshie, who had two assists. Darcy Kuemper had 21 saves.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 5-4 victory for the Capitals in March. Nick Jensen led Washington with three points (0G 3A). Elias Lindholm (2G 0A) and Rasmus Andersson (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Calgary. Vitek Vanecek got the win despite saving only 31 of 35 shots (.885%).
FACING OFF
Calgary is averaging 3.05 goals per game for the season, 17th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Capitals team that is allowing 3.19 goals a game (15th). Meanwhile, Washington has found the net 2.76 times a game on average, 26th in the league, and the Flames are allowing opponents to score 3.21 goals per game (18th).
Calgary averages more shots per game (35.7) than most teams in the league, ranking third, though the team’s 8.7% shooting percentage is 30th. Washington’s average of 30.0 attempts ranks 24th.
The Flames’ 19.67% power play percentage ranks 20th in the league, while the Capitals are 21st with a conversion rate of 19.48%. When it comes to defending power plays, Calgary has the league’s eighth-ranked PK% at 81.69%, while Washington is 17th at 79.69%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 16 and 15 points this season, Lindholm and Nazem Kadri have been the top skaters for the Flames. In the net, Jacob Markstrom (8-4-2) is Calgary’s top goaltender.
He has a 3.03 GAA and a .889% save percentage. Ovechkin leads the Capitals in scoring with 19 points. He has 10 goals and nine assists. Kuemper (5-9-1) has the best goals against average for Washington at 2.83. He has a save percentage of .907%.
HOME AND AWAY
Calgary is 3-3-2 away from home this season. Washington is 6-4-1 at Capital One Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Calgary Flames (-125)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NHL hub page for all your hockey needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
