Calgary Flames vs Ottawa Senators Picks and Predictions December 19th 2024

Senators Riding High on Ullmark’s Stellar Form

The Ottawa Senators (17-11-2) have found their groove, riding a four-game winning streak as they embark on the longest road trip in franchise history—a nine-game stretch. Their journey began on a high note with a commanding 3-0 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday.

At the heart of Ottawa’s resurgence is goaltender Linus Ullmark. With his third shutout of the season in Seattle, Ullmark has been lights out, allowing just five goals across his past six starts, all of which were wins.

“The past six games from Ullmark have been nuts. It’s been crazy to watch,” said forward Shane Pinto. “We’re just lucky to have him.”

Ullmark’s recent brilliance includes consecutive road shutouts, making him the fifth goalie in Senators history to achieve this feat. With Anton Forsberg sidelined until after Christmas, Ullmark is likely to make his fifth straight start on Thursday against Calgary.

Offensive Contributions Gaining Steam

The Senators’ offense has come alive as well, with Pinto, Noah Gregor, and Tim Stutzle all finding the back of the net against Seattle. Pinto, in particular, has rediscovered his scoring touch, tallying goals in three straight games after enduring a 19-game drought.

“I don’t think anyone’s surprised when (Pinto) scores,” said Senators coach Travis Green. “He’s capable of scoring more than he has. Confidence is a funny thing.”

Flames Searching for Consistency

The Calgary Flames (15-13-5) have hit a rough patch, dropping four of their last six games. Most recently, they squandered a two-goal lead in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins at home on Tuesday.

Despite the setback, forward Nazem Kadri remains a bright spot for the Flames. Kadri scored his fourth goal in as many games, tying his NHL career-long streak.

“To me, it was like a tale of two games,” said Flames coach Ryan Huska. “The first half, I really liked our game…but then they flipped the script on us.”

Faceoff Woes Plaguing Calgary

A persistent issue for the Flames has been their performance in the faceoff circle. Calgary ranks in the bottom five of the league with a season-long success rate of 44.6 percent, and they have won the faceoff battle in just five of their 32 games this season.

“It is an area that we have to get better in,” Huska acknowledged. “If you’re not starting with the puck, you’re chasing the game the whole time.”

Key Matchups to Watch

Ullmark vs. Flames’ Offense

Ullmark’s hot streak will be put to the test against a Flames team that thrives at home with an 11-4-2 record. Calgary’s offensive core, led by Kadri, will need to find ways to beat a goalie who has been nearly impenetrable in recent weeks.

Special Teams Battle

Ottawa’s penalty kill has been a major asset during their win streak, while Calgary’s power play will need to step up to give the Flames an edge. Both teams will be looking for discipline and efficiency in special teams play.

Check out NHL Metropolitan Division Odds & Predictions for detailed insights and analysis.

Game Information

• Date: Thursday, December 19, 2024
• Time: 9:00 PM EST
• Location: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
• Broadcast: ESPN+

The Senators have the momentum, but the Flames have home-ice advantage and a chance to turn things around. With both teams fighting for critical points, this matchup promises to be an intense battle from start to finish.