Calgary Flames vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Predictions December 3rd 2024

Betting on today’s Blue Jackets and Flames game? Catch the action at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB, as the Flames hosts this showdown at 9:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this game is set at 6.5 goals, and the Flames are favored by -1.5 vs. the Blue Jackets in a non-conference matchup.

Columbus vs. Calgary Key Information

• Teams: Blue Jackets at Flames
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary
• Date: Tuesday, December 3rd
• Betting Odds CGY -141 | CBJ +119 O/U 6.5

The Blue Jackets Can Win If…

Columbus dropped to 11-9-3 after a 7-2 loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets’ defense struggled early, giving up five goals in the first period.

As underdogs, the Blue Jackets didn’t cover the puck line, and the total of 9 goals went over the pre-game line of 6.5.

Columbus managed 36 shots on goal, but only found the net twice in their 7-2 loss to Washington. Damon Severson opened the scoring for the Blue Jackets, netting his 4th goal of the season. Kevin Labanc added his 2nd goal of the year.

Columbus was held scoreless in the first period and got on the board 49 seconds into the second period. They added their second goal with 5:24 remaining in the second. The Blue Jackets recorded 13 giveaways in the game.

Columbus gave up the first goal just 56 seconds into the game and allowed four more in the first period, leading to a 7-2 defeat. Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves with a 68.2% save percentage. The Blue Jackets’ defense had 10 takeaways and 17 hits.

• Columbus has put together a record of 2-1 over their past three games. In terms of betting, the team went 2-1 puck line in these matchups. Their over/under record in these matchups is 3-0.
• Across Columbus’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 6-4. Their record vs the puck line sits at 6-4 in these matchups, while posting a 7-2-1 over-under mark.

The Flames Can Win If…

Calgary’s 4-2 loss to the Oilers dropped their record to 12-9-4. The Flames trailed early, giving up a goal just 20 seconds into the game.

The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score reached only 6. Calgary, as the underdog, failed to cover the puck line.

Calgary’s offense came up short in their 4-2 loss to Edmonton, despite firing 31 shots on goal. Anthony Mantha netted his 4th goal of the season on a power play in the second period, while Yegor Sharangovich followed with his first goal of the year in the third.

The Flames recorded 22 giveaways and were held scoreless in the first period. Kevin Bahl picked up his 5th assist on Sharangovich’s goal, and Tyson Barrie added his first assist of the season on Mantha’s power-play goal.

Calgary’s defense struggled early, giving up the first two goals of the game to Edmonton. The first came just 20 seconds into the opening period, and the second was at the 11:48 mark. After the Flames tied it up at 2-2, they allowed a power-play goal with 9:50 left in the 3rd and an empty-netter with just 3 seconds remaining. Dan Vladar made 27 saves with a 90% save percentage.

• Across Calgary’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 0-3. Against the spread, Calgary went 0-3 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Calgary has a record of 5-5. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 5-5 to go along with an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Flames to pick up on a win over the Blue Jackets at home. With the moneyline sitting at -141, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Flames straight-up.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Blue Jackets to cover. Even if the Flames manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Blue Jackets should cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Columbus Blue Jackets Riding High

The Columbus Blue Jackets are one of the NHL’s hottest teams, riding a six-game point streak (5-0-1) as they approach a pivotal clash against the struggling Calgary Flames. Sunday’s commanding 6-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks kicked off a four-game road trip in style and further solidified Columbus’ playoff ambitions.

Now sitting just two points outside of an Eastern Conference wild-card spot with games in hand on the Philadelphia Flyers, the Blue Jackets have momentum on their side.

Key Contributors for Columbus

• Kent Johnson: With points in all nine games he’s played this season after returning from a shoulder injury, Johnson has emerged as a consistent offensive force.
• Zach Werenski: The star defenseman continues to shine, boasting an eight-game point streak (five goals, 11 points), the longest by a defenseman in Blue Jackets history.

“We’re finding different ways to win,” said forward Sean Monahan. “It’s clicking right now.”

A notable improvement for the Blue Jackets is their ability to quickly respond after conceding goals. In their win over Chicago, they replied within three minutes each time the Blackhawks scored.

Calgary Flames Seek a Home Rebound

The Flames return home after a disastrous 0-3-1 road trip, which extended their road losing streak to seven games. Despite their away struggles, Calgary has been formidable at home, boasting a 9-3-0 record and a five-game winning streak at the Saddledome.

Challenges for Calgary

• Power Play Issues: The Flames rank near the bottom of the league in penalty killing, having allowed 23 power-play goals this season, including eight during their recent road trip.
• Scoring Drought: Calgary has gone 22 consecutive games scoring three goals or fewer, a troubling trend last seen with the 2014-15 Arizona Coyotes.

Frustration is mounting, with forward Jonathan Huberdeau calling for more disciplined play: “We’re just an easy team to play against right now.”

Roster Adjustments and Emotional Boosts

The Flames hope to spark their lineup by calling up forwards Jakob Pelletier and Walker Duehr, both of whom have been standout performers in the AHL with 19 points each in 20 games.

Additionally, the Flames found inspiration during Monday’s practice as the family of the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau joined the team on the ice. Guy Gaudreau, their father, shared advice on reigniting the Flames’ struggling offense.

“He had his own conclusion on why we’re not scoring,” defenseman Rasmus Andersson said. “It was great just talking to him.”

Who’s Your Pick? Find out what our experts think with NHL picks today.

Matchup Outlook

The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday with confidence and offensive depth, while the Flames hope a return to home ice reignites their offense and shores up their defense.

What to Watch:

• Can Columbus’ Zach Werenski and Kent Johnson continue their offensive dominance?
• Will Calgary’s home success offset their recent woes and ignite their underperforming power play?