Best Bet: Under 97.5 Points
Worst Bet: Calgary Flames to win the Stanley Cup 20/1
Calgary was one of the best teams in the regular season during the 2018-19 season. They finished with a record of 50-25-7 and 107 points, which was the best in the Pacific Division as well as the Western Conference. Their playoff appearance did not last long; however, as the Colorado Avalanche eliminated the Flames 1-4 in the first round. The Calgary Flames have a young core of talent which will likely set them up for success consistently. However, the playoffs proved to be too much last season for the young group.
The Flames averaged 3.45 goals per game last season which was the 2nd most in the NHL only behind the Tampa Bay Lightning and the most in the Western Conference. Calgary also averaged 0.67 power-play goals per game last season which was the 7th most in the NHL and had the 2nd most power-play opportunities per game with 3.41. Johnny Gaudreau led the team in points, assists and goals with 99 points, 63 assists, and 36 goals. The Calgary Flames did not need to make any significant moves on offense in the offseason and bring back the majority of their offensive firepower this season. They will likely rank near the top of the NHL again in terms of offense.
Calgary’s defense was also an elite unit last season allowing 2.80 which tied with Tampa Bay Lightning for 9th fewest in the leagues last season. David Rittich who started the majority of the games last season for the Flames finished with a 27-9-5 record with one shutout and a save percentage of 0.911. He also saw the 4th fewest shots per game at 28.80. Rittich will be in a preseason battle with Cam Talbot who the Flames acquired in free agency on a one-year 2.75-million-dollar contract. Talbot has taken a step back in recent seasons but remains a decent goalie in the NHL.
Calgary Flames Total Points: O/U 97.5
The Calgary Flames finished the 2018-19 season with 107 points which were the most in the Pacific Division as well as the Western Conference. The Flames were one of the complete teams in the NHL last season ranking 2nd in goals per game as well tying for 9th for the fewest goals allowed per game at 2.80. The Flames didn’t lose anyone significantly offensively in the offseason, but they didn’t add anyone of significance either.
The defensive pairing for the Flames is one of the best which helps to eliminate the shots on goal that the goalies will face for Calgary. However, the weakness of this team are the goalies in which David Rittich and Cam Talbot will battle out for the starting position. Rittich had a save percentage of 0.911 for the team last season while Talbot had a 0.881 percentage in his stint for the Flyers after being traded from the Oilers. If the Flames had one of the better goalies in the NHL, the best of over 97.5 would be a no brainer. However, that is not the case, and even though they have a solid defensive pairing, the goalies on the team are not elite. I look for the Flames to take a step back this season and I look for the under 97.5 total points to be the play here.
Calgary Flames to win the Pacific Division: 4/1
The Calgary Flames won the Pacific Division last year for the first time since the 1995 season. This season they are 4:1 to repeat as the division champions with only the Vegas Golden Knights having better odds at 1:1. The Flames are a young team that will likely be a competitive team for the next few seasons but lack the room in the salary cap to make any significant improvements. Still, they were one of the best teams last season in the NHL before their quick elimination in the playoffs by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round.
This season they bring back the majority of the key pieces from the team that won the division last season. So, why are the Flames not ahead of the Golden Knights in terms of odds to win the division? The simple answer is the weakness of the team is their goalie. The Flames have Cam Talbot and David Rittich competing for the starting job. However, neither Talbot nor Rittich is an elite goalie in the NHL. The Golden Knights are a more talented team than the Flames. Still, with a young group of players that proved they could be one of the best in the NHL last season, I like the odds of them repeating at 4:1. I would recommend a moderate play on the team to duplicate the success.
Calgary Flames to win the Western Conference: 9/1
The Calgary Flames finished with the best record in the Western Conference last season. This season according to the odds they are the 5th best team in the conference behind the Golden Knights, Avalanche, Blues and Stars. They didn’t lose anyone of significance on a team that finished with 107 points last year. However, the playoffs proved to be too much for the team last year due to their inexperience.
The Flames were eliminated in the 1st round of the playoffs playing in only five games, so they still don’t have a lot of experience in postseason play. They should remain one of the top teams again this season. Until the Flames can prove, they can handle the postseason I am not betting on them to win the Western Conference.
Calgary Flames to win the Stanley Cup: 20/1
Vegas has the Calgary Flames listed at 20:1 to win the Stanley Cup this season which are the same odds as the Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators. The Flames have one of the best young teams in the NHL, and they will continue to improve in the postseason which will make them a contender to win the Cup within the next few seasons.
However, this season due to the lack of postseason experience I don’t see them as a viable contender to win the Stanley Cup. So, I would not recommend placing a wager on the Flames to do so this season.
