Welcome to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in. Today, we’re looking at the Calgary Flames against the Philadelphia Flyers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions every day there’s hockey this 2024-25 season.
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: ESPN+ | A SNW | H NBCSP
The Calgary Flames and Philadephia Flyers met in their second game of the season. The Flames came out flying and handled the Flyers with ease, winning the game 6-3 on home ice. As expected, a lot has changed since this time. Calgary has managed to put together a competitive season and currently hold the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Flyers sit four points out of the playoffs but would have to pass five teams. With the Flames pushing for the playoffs and the Flyers starting to look to next season, the two teams came together a month ago for a big trade. Philadelphia sent forwards Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost to Calgary in exchange for Jakob Pelletier, Andrei Kuzmenko, and picks. Let’s dive into our prediction for the Flames and Flyers final matchup of the season and first since the big trade.
The Flames are in the middle of an incredibly tough road trip. It started last Tuesday against the East-leading Washington Capitals before they had to face cup contenders Florida, Tampa Bay, and Carolina. The Flames have just one win and three points in those four games. With the Flames battling for the final playoff spot in the West, tonight’s matchup is a must-win game.
The Flames managed to keep all these tough games close, largely thanks to great goaltending from both Dustin Wolf and Daniel Vladar. The issue for Calgary has been scoring. They were shut out in back-to-back games in Florida and have scored just one goal in the last three games. That goal came on a 5-on-3, further highlighting Calgary’s difficulty scoring goals. If Calgary has any hope of making the playoffs then they need to find some scoring in a hurry. The Flames will be homing new acquisitions in Frost and Farabee can use this revenge game as a catalyst to get going. The teams chasing Calgary in the West have also had struggles of their own, which means the Flames will have a chance to make the playoffs if they can find a little offence down the stretch.
As we mentioned above, the playoffs look to be out of reach for the Flyers. With five teams to pass to make the playoffs and just 21 games left the odds are against them. This means the biggest priority for Philadelphia right now is likely asset management and building for the future. Players like Scott Laughton and Rasmus Ristolainen could be on the move before the deadline.
Despite the Flyers position in the standings, they are playing good hockey as of late. As you’d expect with a John Tortorella-coached team, the Flyers are still competing. The Flyers have won four of their last five games. They are being led offensively by some exciting young players including rookie Matvei Michkov and youngsters Owen Tippett and Bobby Brink. The Flyers have struggled to keep pucks out of the net this year sitting 27th in the league in goals against. This team is far from perfect but expect them to compete hard right to the end of the season with young players looking to earn larger roles heading into next year.
The Flyers should come into action tonight feeling really good about themselves overall. They’re coming off a hard-fought 2-1 win against the top team in the league, Winnipeg. You can count on the Flyers to bring a strong effort and keep this game close. Despite their inconsistency in net, the Flames don’t score much so this one should stay close all game.
The Flames should be a desperate team tonight. Calgary needs to win games to keep pace in the playoff race, and they have to take advantage against non-playoff teams. Calgary should be able to contain the Flyers’ offence and this game will likely come down to whether or not Calgary can score. The Flames’ desperation should help them win a close one-goal game in this must-win situation.
Prediction: Flames win 3-2
Rookie sensation Michkov has been hot as of late. It’s worth taking a look at him as an anytime goalscorer at +250.
On the Flames side, it’s a revenge game for Frost and Farabee. The pair of former Flyers have struggled since joining the Flames but should be motivated in this one. Parlaying a bet for each of them to record a point on a combined goal is a fun bet.
Main Photo: Sergei Belski- Imagn Images
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