Flames vs. Blackhawks Odds
| Flames Odds | -240 |
| Blackhawks Odds | +195 |
| Over / Under | 6 +100 / -120 |
A four-game NHL slate kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, when the Calgary Flames look to get back on the winning track as they wrap up a four-game road trip against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. The Flames will be playing the second part of a back-to-back set, following an afternoon loss in Philadelphia on Saturday.
As for the Blackhawks, who sit 31st in the NHL standings, they're back home following a five-game road trip that saw them go 0-4-1. And Chicago's long list of injuries got even longer on Friday night, after Connor Bedard and Nick Foligno went down in their loss to the New Jersey Devils.
Despite all their woes, Chicago is a respectable 7-9-1 on home ice this season. And GM Kyle Davidson made two transactions on Saturday to give his group a little more forward depth.
With the tired Flames listed as heavy favorites, let's dive into my Flames vs. Blackhawks preview and prediction.
Calgary Flames
Fighting to get back into playoff contention in the tough Western Conference, the Flames had won six of their last eight games before dropping a 3-2 regulation decision in Philadelphia on Saturday. Calgary held 1-0 and 2-1 leads against the Flyers, but wilted as the game went on and finished with just 35.9% of expected goals at 5-on-5. Special teams were their undoing: Travis Konecny tied the game on the power play late in the second period, and Sean Couturier's winner came while his side was shorthanded early in the third.
On balance, though, the Flames' penalty killing has been very good. That's the only goal they've allowed while shorthanded in the last seven games. The power play, however, is third-worst in the league. It has accounted for just one goal in the last four games.
Jacob Markstrom took the net in Philadelphia, so Sunday should be Dan Vladar's turn between the pipes. He's at -5.0 goals saved above expected for the season but boasts a winning record at 6-4-2. He has also been good lately, allowing eight goals over three games in wins over Nashville and Tampa Bay, and a shootout loss to Minnesota.
Chicago Blackhawks
Things went from bad to worse for the Blackhawks on Friday night. They didn't just lose 4-2 to New Jersey, dropping their record to 11-26-4 for the year. They also added two more big names to their injured list, as rookie phenom Connor Bedard is now sidelined with fractured jaw and veteran leader Nick Foligno has a fractured finger.
The two of them join a massive group in the infirmary that also includes Andreas Athanasiou, Anthony Beauvillier, Tyler Johnson and Seth Jones — just to name a few.
GM Kyle Davidson shored up his paper-thin roster on Saturday by picking up veteran winger Zach Sanford on waivers from the Arizona Coyotes and acquiring center Rem Pitlick from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. Pitlick has spent all of this season in the AHL, where he led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins with 24 points in 32 games.
Even when Bedard was in the lineup, the Blackhawks were mired near the bottom of the standings and carrying a -58 goal differential. Without their rookie phenom and without Foligno's leadership, they'll now have an even bigger mountain to climb.
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Flames vs. Blackhawks
Betting Pick & Prediction
Though they're playing their fourth road game in six nights, the Flames come into Sunday's matchup as heavy favorites. Opening at -225 on the moneyline, their implied odds of winning are close to 70%.
But they certainly showed signs of fatigue against the Flyers, being outshot 42-24.
The Blackhawks will also be playing their fourth game in six days in four different cities, and could deflate after losing Bedard. But they had a day off to rest and regroup before Sunday's contest. And the addition of two new forwards and the opportunity to play for pride could give them a better-than-expected opportunity to pounce on a more fatigued opponent.
A win might be too much to expect, but Chicago's puckline offers decent value at FanDuel. The Blackhawks are reeling, but could keep it close if they simplify their game against the fragile Flames now that they're back on home ice.
Pick: Blackhawks +1.5 (-110 | Play to -125)
