The Calgary Flames travel to meet the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena Wednesday night.
The Flames are in a little bit of freefall lately, going just 1-2-1 in the past four games, including a 4-3 loss Monday night at home against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Coyotes have made it interesting, win or lose lately. Five of the past six games dating back to February 10 have either ended up going to overtime or a shootout.
This is the second of three regular-season meetings, and the first of two games scheduled to be played in the cozy confines in Tempe. Calgary won the first meeting in Alberta by a 3-2 score on December 5.
Can the visitors get back on track with a much-needed win, or will Arizona add to their problems? We’ll discuss in our NHL betting picks and predictions for the Flames vs. Coyotes.
Flames vs Coyotes best odds
Flames vs Coyotes picks and predictions
The Flames are currently four points back of the Minnesota Wild for the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference and will need to win games like this to stay alive in the playoff race.
Calgary squandered a golden opportunity in its most recent three-game homestand, going 1-2 with an overtime win against the New York Rangers on Saturday night. However, leaving four points on the table is not what the Flames need at this juncture.
On the other side, the Coyotes have made it interesting lately — win or lose — going 5-0-4 in the past nine games. With so many games going into the extra frame or beyond, it has resulted in seven of the Yotes last eight games decided by a single tally.
Coincidentally, the first time these teams met, we had a one-goal game. Calgary outlasted Arizona 3-2, a game that saw the Flames blow a 2-0 lead before a Kadri goal in the last five minutes secured two points for the home side.
Dan Vladar started that game for Calgary, but Jacob Markstrom (15-14-7, 2.93 GAA, .889 SV%) is projected to start against the Coyotes.
Arizona will counter with Karel Vejmelka (15-17-5, 3.31 GAA, .904 SV%, 3 SO), and he is confirmed to start. It could be one of his final starts in a Coyotes sweater, as he is rumored to be on the chopping block leading up to the March 3 NHL trade deadline.
With Arizona playing so many close games lately, it’s a great idea to back the home side catching a goal and a half on the puck line.
My best bet: Coyotes +1.5 (-138 at FanDuel)
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Flames vs Coyotes moneyline analysis
Similar to their first meeting, Calgary opened on the moneyline as heavy favorites at -225 while Arizona returned at +170.
Like the Coyotes, the Flames have played a lot of close games lately. Three of the previous four outings, and five of the past seven contests, have been one-score games.
Calgary is favored in this game, and it is 0-4 on the puck line in the past four games as a favorite. It also failed to cover on the PL as a huge favorite (-328) in the first meeting with Arizona at the Scotiabank Saddledome on December 5.
On the flip side, as an underdog, Arizona has cashed on the puck line in nine straight games dating back to January 22.
The Coyotes have cashed in four straight games at home, too, while the Flames are just 2-5 in the past seven overall. In addition, Calgary has lost five in a row against losing teams, while going just 2-7 in the past nine games against Central Division foes.
As far as this series goes, a handful of signs do point to a Calgary victory, as the Flames are 7-3 in the past 10 trips to Arizona while going 17-5 in the past 22 meetings overall. However, the home side has won nine of the past 11 in this series.
Expect this game to be close, taking the underdog and the goal and a half is the way to go.
Flames vs Coyotes Over/Under analysis
After the last meeting finished with just five total goals, oddsmakers have opened up the total at 6.0. However, it's much better to look at these team's recent performances rather than a game played in December.
The Flames offense has been doing a decent job lately, going for three or more goals in four of the past five games overall — good for a 3.6 gpg average. Calgary has also lit the lamp three or more times in 13 of the past 18 games.
The Over is 4-1 in its past five games while also going 4-1 that way on the road. To emphasize the Flames scoring even more, the Over is a perfect 5-0 in the past five games when Calgary’s opponent allows two or fewer goals in its previous game.
The Coyotes have managed three or more goals in six of the past seven games, with a lean to the Over at a 3-2-1 clip in the previous six.
The Over is also 8-2-2 in the past 12 games for Arizona when playing on two days of rest, while going 3-0-1 in the past four against Western Conference opponents.
Whether these trends will continue is yet to be seen, but expect both sides to play as closely as possible — goals or not.
Flames vs Coyotes betting trend to know
The Coyotes have covered the puck line as an underdog in nine consecutive outings. Find more NHL betting trends for Flames vs Coyotes.
Flames vs Coyotes game info
| Location: | Mullett Arena, Tempe, AZ |
| Date: | Wednesday, February 22, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports Arizona, Sportsnet One/West |
Flames vs Coyotes key injuries
