Calgary Flames vs Nashville Predators Picks and Predictions January 4th 2025

Calgary Flames vs Nashville Predators January 4th 2025

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Predators and Flames. The game is starting at 10:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. Get ready to place your bets! The Predators are favored by -1.5 in a Western conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 5.5 goals.

Nashville vs. Calgary Key Information

• Teams: Predators at Flames
• Where: Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary
• Date: Saturday, January 4th
• Betting Odds NAS -116 | CGY -105 O/U 5.5

The Predators Can Win If…

Nashville improved to 12-20-7 with a 5-2 win over the Avalanche. The Predators covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.

Five different players scored for the Predators, who trailed 1-0 early in the second period before Steven Stamkos tied it up at 11:29. Nashville then scored five unanswered goals to secure the victory.

Nashville found the net five times in their 5-2 victory over Colorado, with each goal coming from a different player. The Predators were shut out in the first period before Steven Stamkos scored his second goal of the season on a power play. Colton Sissons added his first goal of the year, and Roman Josi followed with his first, also on a power play.

Filip Forsberg scored his seventh goal, while Gustav Nyquist added his fourth, both on empty nets. Nashville took 25 shots on goal and recorded 15 giveaways.

Juuse Saros recorded 29 saves with a 93.5% save percentage, helping the Predators to a 5-2 win over the Avalanche. Defensively, Nashville had 25 blocks, 23 hits, and 4 takeaways. The Predators’ defense gave up the first goal at 17:06 in the 2nd period and another at 17:43 in the 3rd, but they held the Avalanche scoreless in the 1st.

• Nashville has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). In these contests, the team went just 1-2 against the spread, while going 1-2 on the over-under.
• Nashville has put together a record of 5-5 in their last ten games (regular season). The team’s record vs the puck line was just 4-6, in addition to an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Flames Can Win If…

Calgary’s 4-2 loss to the Oilers dropped their record to 18-13-7. The Flames trailed early, allowing a goal just 20 seconds into the first period, and couldn’t recover.

The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for 6. Calgary, as underdogs on the puck line, failed to cover. They managed to tie the game at 2-2 in the third period before the Oilers pulled ahead for good.

Calgary took 31 shots on goal in their 4-2 loss to Edmonton, but only found the net twice. Anthony Mantha scored his fourth goal of the season on a power play, while Yegor Sharangovich added his first goal of the year in the third period.

The Flames struggled with giveaways, tallying 22 in the game. Tyson Barrie picked up his first assist of the season on Mantha’s goal, and Mikael Backlund added his fourth assist. Kevin Bahl was credited with his fifth assist on Sharangovich’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, leading to a 4-2 loss to the Oilers. The Flames had tied the game at 2-2, but a power-play goal at the 9:50 mark of the 3rd put the Oilers ahead, and they added an empty-netter with just 3 seconds remaining. Dan Vladar made 27 saves with a 90% save percentage, while the Flames’ defense had 4 takeaways and 13 hits.

• Across Calgary’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. Against the spread, Calgary went 1-2 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Calgary has put together a record of 5-5 in their last ten games (regular season). Across these games, their puck line record was just 7-3, while posting an over-under record of 5-5.

The Lean

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Flames to come out with a win against the Predators while playing at home. Considering the moneyline odds at -105, I’m placing my bet on the Flames to win outright.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Flames winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Flames straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

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Struggling Predators Aim to Build Momentum Against Flames

The Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames find themselves at critical junctures in their seasons as they prepare to face off on Saturday. With both teams outside the playoff picture, this matchup carries heightened significance as they strive to turn their fortunes around.

Predators’ Uphill Battle

The Nashville Predators face a steep climb to make the Stanley Cup playoffs, sitting 13 points out of contention. However, their 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday, a team holding the Western Conference’s second wild-card spot, offers a glimmer of hope.

“Undefeated in 2025,” joked forward Steven Stamkos, who opened the scoring in Friday’s win. “Good teams find ways to win even when they’re not at their best. Hopefully, this is something we can build on.”

The Predators’ road struggles have been a major issue, with a 4-13-4 record away from home. Yet, Friday’s victory marked their second road win in Vancouver this season, signaling a possible turnaround.

Coach Andrew Brunette emphasized sticking to their strengths: “We did the things that make us a good team. We created opportunities offensively and had success.”

Drawing on last season’s 16-0-2 run that secured their playoff berth, the Predators aim to recapture that momentum. Stamkos echoed this sentiment, saying: “With where we are in the standings, we have nothing to lose. Let’s play to win.”

Flames Seek Consistency

For the Calgary Flames, inconsistency has been the Achilles’ heel. They are coming off a 5-3 loss to the Utah Hockey Club, a game in which they surrendered a 3-2 lead in the third period. It was their first regulation loss when leading after two periods this season—a tough blow for a team trying to secure a playoff spot.

“We have to learn from this,” forward Ryan Lomberg said. “At this point in the season, trading wins and losses isn’t enough. Even when we don’t bring our best, we’ve got to find ways to win.”

Scoring has been a persistent issue for Calgary, as has their penalty kill, which ranks 29th in the league with a 71.7% success rate. The Flames have allowed a power-play goal in five consecutive games, further exacerbating their defensive struggles.

Coach Ryan Huska noted: “We’re improving in some areas, but breakdowns continue to hurt us. At the end of the day, the numbers everyone sees don’t lie—we’re giving up goals, and that has to stop.”

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Key Matchup Factors

1. Momentum and Morale:
   • The Predators are motivated by a fresh start in 2025 and a sense of nothing to lose. Their win against Vancouver showcases their potential to rally.
   • The Flames, meanwhile, are navigating frustration, with players like Blake Coleman emphasizing the importance of passion and accountability: “I’d rather have 20 guys who care than 20 guys who don’t.”
2. Special Teams Play:
   • Calgary’s penalty kill is a glaring weakness that opponents, including Nashville, will look to exploit.
   • The Predators’ ability to capitalize on these opportunities could tip the scales in their favor.
3. Road vs. Home Performance:
   • Nashville’s poor road record contrasts with Calgary’s struggles to close out games at home. Whichever team addresses their respective weaknesses more effectively could seize the win.

What’s at Stake?

For Nashville, the playoff dream is hanging by a thread. They must string together wins, particularly on the road, to keep their hopes alive. Calgary, on the other hand, faces mounting pressure to resolve their inconsistencies before it’s too late.

“You have to build off something,” Stamkos said. “And at this point, with where we are, we need points—plain and simple.”

With both teams fighting for survival, Saturday’s game promises to be a high-stakes battle.

Final Thoughts

This matchup between the Predators and Flames highlights two teams striving to overcome adversity in pursuit of a playoff spot. Nashville’s determination to flip the script and Calgary’s urgent need for consistency make this a compelling clash. For one team, this game could mark the beginning of a much-needed turnaround.