Montreal Canadiens vs Calgary Flames Picks and Predictions November 5th 2024

Montreal Canadiens vs Calgary Flames November 5th 2024

Betting on today’s Flames and Canadiens game? Catch the action at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC, as the Canadiens hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Flames are the -1.5 goal favorites in this non-conference matchup against Canadiens. The over/under for the game is set at 6.5 goals.

Calgary vs. Montreal Key Information

Calgary’s 4-2 loss to the Oilers dropped them to 6-5-1 this season. The Flames were the underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 6.5 goals went under, with the teams combining for 6 goals.

After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, Calgary tied it up in the third before Edmonton pulled away. Anthony Mantha and Yegor Sharangovich scored for the Flames, who allowed the Oilers to score just 20 seconds into the game.

Calgary’s offense managed just two goals in their 4-2 loss to Edmonton. Anthony Mantha netted his fourth goal of the season on a power play, while Yegor Sharangovich added his first goal of the year in the third period.

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The Flames fired 31 shots on goal but were hindered by 22 giveaways. Tyson Barrie picked up his first assist of the season, and Mikael Backlund added his fourth assist on Mantha’s goal.

Calgary’s defense gave up the first two goals of the game, both in the first period, and two more late in the third. The first came just 20 seconds into the game, and the last was an empty-netter with three seconds left. Dan Vladar finished with 27 saves and a 90% save percentage, while the defense added 4 takeaways and 13 hits.

Montreal fell to 4-7-1 with a 3-1 loss to the Penguins. The Canadiens, who were underdogs on the puck line, failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 4 fell short of that mark.

All of Pittsburgh’s goals came before Montreal got on the board at 14:28 in the third period. Christian Dvorak scored for the Canadiens, who gave up an empty-net goal with 45 seconds left in the game.

Montreal’s offense managed 26 shots on goal but only found the net once in their 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh. Christian Dvorak scored his first goal of the season at the 14:28 mark in the third period, with Emil Heineman picking up his first assist and Juraj Slafkovsky adding his seventh.

The Canadiens were held scoreless through two periods, with their lone goal coming 5:32 into the third. They recorded 20 giveaways and failed to convert on any power play opportunities.

Montreal’s defense gave up the first two goals, one at 15:57 in the first period and another at 18:40 in the second. The Canadiens pulled within one in the third, but an empty-netter from the Penguins sealed the 3-1 loss. Goalie Sam Montembeault made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, while the defense recorded 4 takeaways and 28 hits.

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Canadiens to secure a victory over the Flames at home. With the moneyline currently set at +106, I’m locking in my bet on the Canadiens straight-up.

Our projections have the Canadiens pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Canadiens, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Flames and Canadiens Seek Revival in Montreal Matchup

The Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens, both desperate for a spark to rejuvenate their seasons, will meet Tuesday night in Montreal. Each team enters this game looking to break free from recent struggles that have turned promising starts into challenges.

Calgary Flames: Struggling to Maintain Early Success

The Flames began the season with an impressive 5-0-1 record, only to stumble in the next six games, posting a disappointing 1-5-0 record. Their latest setback came in a 4-2 loss to their provincial rival, the Edmonton Oilers, on Sunday night. That game featured an early blow from Leon Draisaitl, who scored just 20 seconds in, putting the Flames on the back foot.

Though Calgary managed to rally back and tie the game 2-2 in the third period, a high-sticking penalty by Martin Pospisil led to Edmonton’s go-ahead goal on the power play. The Flames have struggled on special teams, with a penalty kill percentage of only 72.5% and a power play that recently went 0-for-18 before finally finding the net on Sunday.

“Every game I try to be careful,” Pospisil remarked after the game, acknowledging the high-sticking penalty as “kind of bad luck” but accepting that it was a costly mistake, especially in a close contest.

Dan Vladar appears to be inching ahead in the Flames’ goalie rotation after recording a shutout against the New Jersey Devils last Friday and following up with a 27-save effort against Edmonton. With Vladar potentially establishing himself as Calgary’s starter, head coach Ryan Huska might choose to rest him and give backup Dustin Wolf a chance against a similarly struggling Canadiens squad.

Montreal Canadiens: Searching for Consistency and Health

The Canadiens have faced similar struggles, holding a 4-7-1 record and sitting near the bottom of the NHL standings. Montreal’s special teams, typically a bright spot, have faltered in recent games, with a 1-for-12 power-play performance and an 8-for-13 penalty kill over the last three outings. During this stretch, Montreal has been outscored 17-6, contributing to their current three-game losing streak.

Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, however, gave head coach Martin St. Louis a glimmer of optimism, particularly on the defensive front. Despite falling short, the Canadiens managed to outshoot Pittsburgh 11-3 in the final period, showing improved defensive structure even if they lacked offensive conversion.

“We’ll find the balance, and I think we can execute more things without taking any risks,” St. Louis said, noting that their improved defensive play could help the Canadiens find a more consistent style.

Montreal could be without forward Juraj Slafkovsky on Tuesday after he left Saturday’s game with a head injury. Slafkovsky has been a key offensive player, contributing eight points in nine games. Without him, Montreal may find it harder to generate offense against the Flames.

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Goaltending has been inconsistent for the Canadiens, with Sam Montembeault likely getting the start despite his .894 save percentage. Backup Cayden Primeau has also struggled, leaving Montreal in search of stability between the pipes.

Key Players to Watch

• Calgary Flames: Defenseman Rasmus Andersson has been a steady presence for Calgary, leading the team with 11 points (four goals, seven assists). Andersson’s offensive contributions from the blue line could be key against Montreal’s shaky defense.
• Montreal Canadiens: Captain Nick Suzuki leads Montreal with 13 points (four goals, nine assists) and is just one point shy of reaching the 300-point milestone in his NHL career. Suzuki’s playmaking ability will be crucial, especially if Slafkovsky is out.

Outlook and What’s at Stake

With both teams looking to regain form, Tuesday’s game offers a prime opportunity for each to make a statement. The Flames are hoping to rediscover the balanced attack that fueled their strong season start, while the Canadiens aim to build on their defensive improvements and resolve their scoring issues. A win would provide a much-needed morale boost for either team and a potential turning point in the season.