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Penguins Aim to Tighten Defense vs. Huberdeau’s Flames

The Penguins and the Flames will both be trying to pick up a win when they battle at Scotiabank Saddledome.

(Photo by Getty Images) Jonathan Huberdeau

Pittsburgh (3-4-0) at Calgary (4-0-1)

  • When: Oct 22 2024, 9:30 PM
  • Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB, CAN
  • Where to watch: SportsNet PT

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Calgary Flames
Moneyline

Pittsburgh Penguins   -103
Calgary Flames   -117

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Calgary Flames
Puck Line

Pittsburgh Penguins   1.5 (-250)
Calgary Flames   -1.5 (+210)

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Calgary Flames
Total

Over   6.5 (-117)
Under   6.5 (-103)

Team Stats

Penguins   Flames
3-4-0 Record 4-0-1
2-2-0 Away & Home 2-0-0
3-4-0 Last 10 4-0-1
L2 Streak L1

Last Matchup:
CGY 4-3, March 2nd, 2024

Game Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ recent slump is easy to identify, and it’s something bettors should consider before placing wagers on their next game.

As the Penguins prepare for Tuesday’s road matchup against the Calgary Flames, they’re riding a two-game losing streak, most recently a 6-3 defeat to the Winnipeg Jets. That game kicked off their four-game road trip in Western Canada, and it’s clear that their defense is a major issue.

Pittsburgh has allowed the most goals in the league (31) in just seven games. While it might be tempting to blame goaltender Tristan Jarry, the defense in front of him is far from solid. Bettors should take note of the team’s inability to protect their own net. Captain Sidney Crosby acknowledged the problem: “We’re giving up too much. We can’t expect to win consistently if we keep allowing this many goals.”

With three wins in seven games, Pittsburgh’s defensive woes could impact their odds against Calgary. As coach Mike Sullivan pointed out, “We need to adopt more of a defense-first mentality instead of always jumping on offense.” This mindset adjustment could be crucial for the Penguins to cover the spread or hit the under in their next contest.

Pittsburgh’s goaltending situation is another red flag for those looking to place bets. Jarry has given up 12 goals in just over six periods, and didn’t even dress for Sunday’s game. Backup Alex Nedeljkovic started that matchup, while rookie Joel Blomqvist has appeared in four games so far this season. It’s clear there are question marks in net, which could make the over an appealing option.

On the other side, the Flames are returning home for a three-game homestand after their first loss of the season, a 2-1 overtime defeat to the Seattle Kraken. Calgary started the season with four straight wins, and despite the setback, they’ve been solid overall. As center Nazem Kadri noted, "We’ve played five solid games and want to keep building on that.” Bettors might favor the Flames here, especially given their strong start.

That being said, Calgary knows they need to clean up their game, particularly avoiding penalties and limiting turnovers—both of which could factor into the game’s pace and flow. “We just weren’t sharp with the puck,” coach Ryan Huska said, pointing to areas that could affect Calgary’s puck possession and control stats, key considerations for prop bets.

Overall, the Flames remain optimistic and confident, which should factor into any wagers. Forward Ryan Lomberg summed it up, “We’ve been playing to our identity, and it’s showing in the results.” Bettors might lean toward Calgary keeping this momentum as they try to bounce back.

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NHL Parlay Picks & Predictions

Final Score: Calgary 4-3
Expert Pick: Calgary -117 & Over 6½ (-117)
A $100 Parlay Bet will return $344

NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook

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