This Saturday night at Scotiabank Saddledome, it will be a clash of the titans as the first new NHL entrant Vancouver Canucks (2-0-0) visit the resurgent Calgary Flames (3-0-1) in what is undoubtedly one of the exciting ones in the NHL preseason. Both teams have started the season very well, and the Flames have been able to go the longest without suffering defeat. So, if any of you are in search of the very best hockey free picks, this game has a lot to offer considering both teams possess very good players and great tactical discipline on ice.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames 9/28/24 Game Info |
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| When: | Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Scotiabank Saddledome |
| TV: | – |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Vancouver Canucks (2-0-0) vs. Calgary Flames (3-0-1)
The Vancouver Canucks, currently unbeaten, are showing promising offensive skills this preseason, led by J.T. Miller, Quinn Hughes, and Elias Pettersson. Miller’s exceptional scoring and assist records make him a formidable opponent against any defensive lineup, including the Calgary Flames. With Hughes and Pettersson providing strong support, the Canucks are well-equipped to challenge the Flames’ defensive strategies, reminiscent of the challenges teams like the Philadelphia Flyers face against strong offenses.
Conversely, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a very good offense with Nazem Kadri and Yegor Sharangovich in charge. Kadri and Sharangovich combine their talents making it hard for teams with great defense like Vancouver to hold them off. Also, Blake Coleman is a great short-handed situation player for Calgary’s offense, which means they will be able to make a lot of inroads into the even solid structure the Canucks have.
Goaltender Thatcher Demko vs. Goaltender Dan Vladar
The previous season was perhaps the best in Demko’s career so far, as he could boast a 0.918 save percentage in all 51 games played. With a Flames team that is very aggressive in shooting on goal, composure under hive pressure will be very important. In this regard, Demko’s performance will be extremely important, otherwise, the Canucks are going to feel the consequences of Calgary’s high volume of shots.
On the contrary, Dan Vladar has had it fairly tougher recording a save percentage of 0.882 last season. Much of his improvements this preseason will not cut it against the Vancouver Canucks’ most lethal goal scorers. It is likely Calgary’s defense that will have to come in and help Vladar out because he will be put under duress and expectation thanks to the Canucks’ style of play.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
With the betting odds yet to be determined, bettors will want to keep a close eye on the developments leading up to the game. The performance of both goaltenders and the offensive strategies outlined will play a significant role in shaping the odds.
Vancouver Canucks Betting Trends
The Canucks have shown they can hold their own both at home and on the road, with a near-even record against the spread in away games last season. Their ability to consistently score, combined with Demko’s goaltending, makes them a solid bet, especially if the odds favor them slightly due to their undefeated start to the preseason.
Calgary Flames Betting Trends
Calgary’s recent games have seen a mix of outcomes against the spread, indicating some inconsistency. Their performance in home games suggests a higher scoring tendency, which might influence bettors to lean towards the OVER in total points bets, especially given their offensive capabilities demonstrated by their team leaders.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames 9/28/24 Betting Picks
Considering how the return to play went for the Canucks and the performance they posted last season, they will probably have a slight edge, especially, assuming, that Demko continues to perform as he has. This is worth noting for gamblers who would be looking at the moneyline options. Still, the Flames’ offense is volatile which may be a good reason to back them for upsets when the lines make some sense. This, along with the scoring history of both players makes prop bets on Miller and Kadri interesting.
To sum up, it appears that this match can be won by the Canucks, but due to the Flames’ spread of offensive weapons and the fact that they will be playing at home may all change the outcome of the game. They are anticipating a close score throughout the entire game. For those who are into premium top picks, maybe focusing on the OVER on total points is the right way to go given how both teams perform on the offensive end.