Calgary Flames vs Tampa Bay Lightning Picks and Predictions December 12th 2024

Lightning Out to Bolster Defense in Clash With Flames

The Tampa Bay Lightning (16-12-3) visit the Calgary Flames (12-13-6) on Thursday night, seeking to shore up their defensive game after a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Meanwhile, the Flames return home riding momentum from a 4-3 comeback win over Nashville and aiming to continue their dominance at the Saddledome.

Lightning Look to Regroup Defensively

Tampa Bay’s offensive firepower was on full display recently, with the team scoring 30 goals across six games before their stumble against Edmonton. However, defensive lapses proved costly in their latest outing, as the Lightning allowed multiple breakaways, including the eventual game-winning goal that ricocheted off defenseman Victor Hedman’s skate.

Head coach Jon Cooper lamented the defensive breakdowns:
“I think we gave up four breakaways in the first 20 minutes. It’s unacceptable, and that’s how you walk away with no points in a hockey game.”

Despite the loss, forward Jake Guentzel remains a bright spot, carrying a four-game goal-scoring streak into the matchup against Calgary. The Lightning are 1-1-0 to start their four-game road trip and will aim to tighten their defensive structure to secure points in the competitive Eastern Conference wild-card race.

Flames Return to Comfort of Home Ice

The Flames snapped an eight-game road losing streak with a resilient 4-3 victory over the Predators on Tuesday, erasing a third-period deficit to claim their first win in seven games. Jonathan Huberdeau scored the game-winning goal on the power play and extended his point streak to five games (three goals, four assists).

Huberdeau emphasized the importance of the win:
“We found a way to win that game and end that little skid that we had on the road. Now we’ve got a big stretch coming up at home, so we’ve got to take advantage of that.”

Calgary has been dominant at the Saddledome, boasting a 10-3-1 home record and earning points in seven straight home games (6-0-1). Their recent improvements in special teams—particularly the penalty kill—were pivotal against Nashville, as they neutralized the Predators’ power play and capitalized on their own opportunities.

Head coach Ryan Huska praised the team’s defensive effort in the third period:
“When the game was on the line, I thought we had some key shot blocks. That’s something that’s important for our team.”

Keys to the Game

Tampa Bay Lightning:

• Defensive Focus: Limit odd-man rushes and breakaways that plagued their loss to Edmonton.
• Build Momentum: Take advantage of Jake Guentzel’s scoring streak and establish a forecheck to control the tempo.
• Goaltending Rebound: Andrei Vasilevskiy needs to deliver a strong performance to anchor the team defensively.

Calgary Flames:

• Capitalize on Home Ice: Leverage their strong home record and energy from the Saddledome crowd.
• Special Teams Advantage: Continue improving their penalty kill while maximizing power-play opportunities.
• Ride Huberdeau’s Hot Streak: Look to the playmaker to generate offense and maintain the team’s recent scoring touch.

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Matchup Outlook

The Lightning’s need to tighten their defense clashes with the Flames’ desire to build on their recent offensive surge. Calgary’s strong play at home makes them a formidable opponent, but Tampa Bay’s dynamic offense could break through if they address their defensive lapses.

As both teams seek consistency, this game promises a compelling battle between two teams striving to solidify their playoff positions.