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Calgary Flames vs Chicago Blackhawks December 21st 2024
Planning on watching today’s Blackhawks and Flames game? Catch the action at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB, as the Flames hosts this showdown at 4:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this Western conference contest is set at 5.5 goals, with the Flames being favored by -1.5 goals at home against the Blackhawks.
Chicago vs. Calgary Key Information
- Teams: Blackhawks at Flames
- Where: Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary
- Date: Saturday, December 21st
- Betting Odds CGY -162 | CHI +136 O/U 5.5
The Blackhawks Can Win If…
Chicago improved to 12-19-2 with a 4-2 win over the Ducks. The Blackhawks covered the puck line as underdogs, and the total of 6 goals fell short of the 6.5 set before the game.
Four different Blackhawks players found the net in this one. Chicago built a 3-0 lead before the Ducks got on the board in the third period.
Chicago’s offense found the net four times in their 4-2 victory over Anaheim. Ryan Donato added his 7th goal of the season, while Seth Jones followed with his 2nd. Isaak Phillips scored his first goal, and Teuvo Teravainen netted his 4th, with his goal coming on a power play.
The Blackhawks took 29 shots on goal and recorded 12 giveaways. They struck twice in the first period, with Teravainen’s goal coming on a power play. Chicago added another power play goal in the second period before Donato capped the scoring with 2:17 left in the game.
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Defensively, the Blackhawks held the Ducks scoreless through two periods before allowing two goals in the 3rd, including one with just four seconds remaining. Arvid Söderblom made 38 saves with a 95% save percentage. The defense also contributed 6 takeaways and 5 hits.
- Spanning across their last three games, Chicago have gone 3-0. This also includes going 3-0 puck line and an over-under mark of 1-2.
- Chicago has put together a record of 4-6 in their last ten games (regular season). Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 5-5 to go along with an over-under mark of 5-5.
The Flames Can Win If…
The Flames fell to 15-12-7 after a 4-2 loss to the Oilers. Calgary, the underdog on the puck line, allowed the first goal just 20 seconds into the game. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score reached only 6.
Calgary trailed 2-0 before Anthony Mantha scored at 15:27 in the second period. They tied it up in the third, but the Oilers responded with two more goals to seal the game.
Calgary’s offense managed just two goals in their 4-2 loss to Edmonton. Anthony Mantha netted his 4th goal of the season on a power play in the second period, while Yegor Sharangovich followed with his 1st goal of the year in the third.
The Flames fired 31 shots on goal but were hindered by 22 giveaways. Tyson Barrie picked up his 1st assist of the season, and Mikael Backlund added his 4th assist on Mantha’s goal.
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Calgary’s defense gave up an early goal just 20 seconds into the first period and another at the 8:12 mark, putting them in a 2-0 hole. After the Flames tied the game at 2-2 in the third period, they allowed two more goals, including one with 9:50 remaining and an empty-netter. Dan Vladar made 27 saves with a 90% save percentage, while the defense recorded 4 takeaways and 13 hits.
- Calgary has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). Against the spread, they have a strong mark of 3-0 along with an over-under record of 1-2.
- Through their last ten regular season contests, Calgary has a record of 3-7. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 5-5, in addition to an over-under mark of 7-3.
The Lean
For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Flames to pick up on a win over the Blackhawks at home. With the moneyline sitting at -162, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Flames straight-up.
My recommended pick for the puck line is to take the Blackhawks to cover. Even if the Flames win straight-up, this one should be close throughout and the Blackhawks should cover the puck line.
When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 5.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.
Blackhawks Look to Extend Win Streak Against Flames
The Chicago Blackhawks bring momentum into Calgary on Saturday night as they aim to stretch their season-high three-game win streak against the Flames, a team reeling from back-to-back overtime losses.
Blackhawks Finding Confidence
Chicago secured its third consecutive victory with a 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. Ilya Mikheyev led the way with two goals, while goaltender Arvid Soderblom stopped 26 shots to frustrate Seattle.
The Blackhawks are showing signs of growth under interim coach Anders Sorensen, who took over after Luke Richardson’s dismissal on Dec. 5. Chicago has gone 4-3-0 since the coaching change.
“It’s a credit to the guys and believing in what we’re trying to do here,” captain Nick Foligno said. “We’re excited with the direction we’re going.”
Sorensen noted the team’s improved cohesion, especially in transitioning from defense to offense.
“We’re coming out of our D-zone with numbers, and that’s a big part,” Sorensen said. “We’re connected coming out.”
Chicago’s young talent continues to shine, with Connor Bedard leading the team in points (26) and Ryan Donato pacing the squad with 11 goals.
Flames Seeking Stability
The Flames are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, their fourth consecutive OT defeat. Calgary has played a league-high 12 games in overtime this season, highlighting their penchant for tight contests.
Blake Coleman and Jonathan Huberdeau provided the offense against Ottawa, with Huberdeau tying the game on a power play in the third period. Despite their resilience, Calgary couldn’t secure the extra point as Brady Tkachuk delivered the game-winner 55 seconds into overtime.
“We have to figure out ways to control leads,” Coleman said. “We’re going to be in these tight games, but we need to find ways to come out with two points instead of one.”
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Huberdeau leads Calgary with 23 points, including 12 goals, tied with Nazem Kadri for the team lead. Dan Vladar, who stopped 26 shots on Thursday, has been solid in net but will look for more goal support.
Key Matchup
The game will feature two young stars: Chicago’s Connor Bedard and Calgary’s Nazem Kadri. Bedard, the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has been dynamic in his rookie season, while Kadri’s offensive consistency has been crucial for the Flames.
What to Watch
- Blackhawks’ Energy: Can Chicago continue its recent surge under Sorensen and translate their improved puck movement and offensive zone control into another win?
- Flames’ Overtime Woes: Calgary must avoid another late-game collapse and find a way to close out tight contests.
- Goaltending Battle: Both teams are getting strong performances in net. Soderblom and Vladar will be key in what could be another low-scoring, physical battle.
The Blackhawks hope to ride their momentum to a fourth straight win, while the Flames aim to turn their overtime frustrations into a much-needed victory at home.
