Calgary Flames vs Carolina Hurricanes Picks and Predictions October 24th 2024

Hurricanes Face Resilient Flames in High-Stakes Showdown

The Carolina Hurricanes and Calgary Flames are both riding waves of early-season resilience, making Thursday night’s matchup in Calgary a must-watch for fans. Both teams have showcased their ability to stage thrilling comebacks, with each securing overtime wins in their most recent outings. The Hurricanes erased a two-goal deficit to edge out the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday, while the Flames fought their way to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins the same night.

Hurricanes’ Persistence Shines Through

Carolina’s comeback win against Edmonton marked the third time this season they’ve overcome a third-period deficit to secure a win. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour was quick to praise his team’s determination: “You’ve got to give the guys a lot of credit for that, digging in there, finding a way,” he said. The Hurricanes’ never-give-up attitude has been paying off, as star forward Sebastian Aho, who netted the overtime winner, emphasized: “We just kept pushing forward.”

Aho enters Thursday’s contest on a four-game point streak, with two goals and four assists during that span. Meanwhile, defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere has been a key offensive contributor, tying a franchise record by scoring in four consecutive games as a defenseman.

One curious trend for the Hurricanes: they have won every game in which they allowed the first goal but have lost both games in which they scored first. This resilience after falling behind will be tested again against Calgary’s gritty style of play.

Flames Embrace the Underdog Mentality

The Flames have defied early-season expectations, currently sitting atop the Pacific Division with a 5-0-1 record. Their latest win, a shootout thriller against Pittsburgh, highlighted their tenacity. “We’ve shown resiliency. I’m proud of the way we battled and came back,” said defenseman MacKenzie Weegar.

Calgary’s 5-0-1 start is their best since relocating from Atlanta to Calgary in 1980, and they have embraced their underdog status, with preseason predictions casting them as potential bottom-dwellers. Weegar believes that this mentality has fueled their success: “A lot of guys here are underdogs … it’s been working for us.”

Despite their hot start, the Flames are mindful that improvements are needed. They’ve been outshot in four of their last five games, including a 38-25 deficit against the Penguins. Rasmus Andersson, another key defenseman, acknowledged that while they didn’t play their best against Pittsburgh, they’ll look to build on that win heading into the showdown with Carolina.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Sebastian Aho vs. Flames’ Defense

Aho has been on fire with a four-game point streak, and he’ll need to continue his offensive push against Calgary’s defensive core, which has shown moments of vulnerability despite their success.

2. Flames’ Resilience vs. Hurricanes’ Start-Strong Mentality

Calgary has been effective in clawing back into games, while Carolina has a tendency to thrive when playing from behind. The Flames will need to find ways to assert themselves early if they want to keep their winning streak alive.

3. Special Teams Play

Both teams will need to capitalize on power plays and minimize mistakes. The Hurricanes have been particularly strong at making the most of their opportunities when falling behind, while the Flames’ defense has been bending but not breaking.

Game Outlook

With both teams riding high on comeback victories, Thursday’s game promises to be a tightly contested affair. The Hurricanes will look to continue their run of resilient performances, while the Flames aim to keep their unbeaten regulation record intact. Neither team will go down easily, and fans can expect a high-intensity battle in Calgary.

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Prediction

While both teams boast resilience and a never-say-die attitude, Calgary’s home-ice advantage and their ability to grind out tough wins might give them the edge. Expect a close game, but the Flames’ momentum could carry them to another victory.

Flames 4, Hurricanes 3 (OT)