Minnesota Wild (8-10-4) vs. Calgary Flames (10-11-3)
Minnesota Wild vs. Calgary Flames 12/5/23 – The struggling Minnesota Wild face off against the inconsistent Calgary Flames in an inter-conference NHL matchup on Tuesday night. This battle features two teams desperate to string some wins together and gain momentum in the playoff race. Our NHL picks of the day focus on a game that could go either way between Minnesota’s defensive structure and Calgary’s offensive firepower.
The Wild continue to battle for consistency, going 3-7 in their last 10 games. However, they’ve shown flashes of strong play and have the personnel when healthy to compete in the daunting Central division. Minnesota relies on a balanced scoring attack led by Mats Zuccarello and its usual stout defense. The Wild allow the 7th fewest goals per game at 2.73. They’ll need that defensive unit at its best facing Calgary’s dynamic scorers.
The Flames snapped a 7-game losing streak in their last game and now look to build on that momentum. Calgary relies heavily on its top-end offensive talent in Elias Lindholm and Jonathan Huberdeau to carry the mail. The Flames have struggled keeping pucks out of their net, allowing 3.33 goals per game – 4th most in the NHL. Jacob Markstrom will need to come up big in net if the Flames hope to get back on track.
Minnesota Wild vs. Calgary Flames 12/5/23 Game Info
| When: | Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Scotiabank Saddledome |
| TV: | |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Filip Gustavsson vs. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom
Filip Gustavsson will likely be between the pipes for Minnesota. He’s posted a less than stellar .891 save percentage and 3.46 GAA. However, Gustavsson has shown ability before and the Wild play a very structured system that limits high danger chances. If he can avoid any catastrophic mistakes, Minnesota’s defense should bail him out.
For Calgary, Jacob Markstrom draws the start. He holds a concerning .896 save percentage and 2.95 GAA. Markstrom can stand on his head on any given night but has lacked consistency this year. The key for him will be not allowing any soft goals which could deflate the Flames. Calgary’s offense should create plenty of chances for Markstrom to make the key saves he’s capable of.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: Calgary Flames -132, Total Odds: 6
The betting odds favor the Calgary Flames slightly, likely due to their marginally better record and home advantage. The total set at 6 suggests a game with moderate scoring, aligning with both teams’ recent trends.
Minnesota Wild Betting Trends
The Minnesota Wild enter this matchup struggling for wins recently, posting a 3-7 record over their last 10 games. They have also struggled historically against the Flames, going 2-6 straight up in the last 8 head-to-head meetings. Digging deeper, the Wild have been dismal on the road this season with a 1-4 straight up record in their previous 5 away contests. However, a bright spot emerges for Minnesota in totals betting trends. The under has hit in 4 of the Wild’s last 5 overall games.
Calgary Flames Betting Trends
The Flames have excelled at home against the Wild historically. Calgary has gone an impressive 6-3 straight up in their last 9 home matchups versus Minnesota. Widening the lens, the Flames have also feasted on Western Conference foes lately, earning a solid 7-3 straight up record in their previous 10 contests against the West. In recent overall betting trends, goals have been plentiful in Calgary games. 6 of the Flames’ last 9 contests have sailed over the posted total. However, the under has hit in 4 of Calgary’s last 5 specifically against the Wild.
Minnesota Wild vs. Calgary Flames 12/5/23 Betting Picks
Analyzing the teams’ current forms, statistics, and historical performances, this game is poised to be a closely contested battle. The Flames, with their slight edge in home performance and recent success against the Wild, seem to be the safer bet. However, the Wild could leverage their underdog status for a potential upset. In terms of prop bets and over/under, the game could lean towards the under, considering both teams’ scoring trends.
For those looking for the best premium picks, this matchup offers an interesting dynamic with potential for both safe and risky betting strategies.
Free Pick and Prediction: Calgary Flames 3, Minnesota Wild 2.