NHL Predictions: Calgary vs Vancouver Futures
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NHL Playoffs Betting
Vancouver vs Calgary
Series Odds: Flames +130 / Canucks -150
Today’s NHL Lines
Today’s NHL Matchups
NHL Standings
***2015 NHL BONUSES***Series Schedule
G1 Wed., April 15 Calgary @ Vancouver, 10 p.m. ET CBC
G2 Fri., April 17 Calgary @ Vancouver, 10 p.m. ET CBC
G3 Sun., April 19 Vancouver @ Calgary, 10 p.m. ET CBC
G4 Tues., April 21 Vancouver @ Calgary, 10 p.m. ET CBC
G5* Thurs., April 23 Calgary @ Vancouver, TBD CBC
G6* Sat., April 25 Vancouver @ Calgary, TBD CBC
G7* Mon., April 27 Calgary @ Vancouver, TBD CBC
The Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames return to the playoffs in what is one of the more intriguing and statistically close matchups in the Western Conference. Both teams have exceeded expectations all season long and now one will actually move on to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Both teams won twice in four meetings this season with Calgary gaining the extra point thanks to getting to Overtime in one of the games.
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So who wins this interesting matchups of the Reclamation Projects? Let’s take a look.
Offense
Both the Canucks and Flames had good offenses this past season – the Flames ranked fifth in the NHL with 2.91 goals per game while the Canucks were eighth scoring 2.84 goals per game. The depth advantage definitely belongs to the Canucks – they had 11 forwards score at least 10 goals on the season – Radim Vrbata led the way with 30 goals and the Sedins both finished inside the top 20 of NHL scorers this year.
That said the Flames have arguably the best line in hockey the last eight weeks – Jiri Hudler, Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau were virtually unstoppable at times. The line scored 86 of Calgary’s 237 goals and had 202 points. Calgary has some decent role players that’s for sure but outside of one scoring line, they are a tad suspect.
Defense
Defensively the edge goes to Vancouver as well especially since the injury to Mark Giordano for the Flames. Vancouver ended the season a surprising 18th in the league in goals against – 2.65 per games but allowed two or fewer goals in 10 of the last 20 Regular
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Season games. Alexander Edler, Christopher Tanev, Dan Hamhuis, Yannick Webber and Luca Sbisa with Kevin Bieksa are a solid top 6 – they are healthy and much more experienced in playoff action than the defensive corp. of the Flames.
Calgary will rely heavily on Kris Russell and Dennis Wideman – they are an OK top pair that is expected to absorb a lot of minutes against Vancouver. Outside of those two the Flames are a tad thin – Deryk Engelland, TJ Brodie, David Schlemko and Raphael Diaz are largely unheralded guys that like most of the Flames lineup overachieved this year.
Goaltending
Between the pipes is where it gets interesting especially for the both teams. Will the Canucks trust the rusty veteran Ryan Miller or go with the guy that got them to this point down the stretch, Eddie Lack? Calgary also has some question marks in between the pipes – will it be Jonas Hiller or will injured Karri Ramo return to action.
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Goaltending is often the difference between winning and losing in the playoffs – the keeper that gets hot at the right time may lead his team to the next round. That said – your guess is as good as mine as to who that will be.
Special Teams
Perhaps the biggest advantage that Vancouver will have heading into this series is on special teams. Vancouver finished the regular season with the 8th best power play in the league – Calgary was 13th. The Canucks had the 2nd best penalty kill in the NHL during the regular season – Calgary was 22nd. The Canucks haven’t allowed a power play goal in April – impressive indeed.
Prediction:
Depth and special teams will be the difference in this one. The Canucks have the edge in both – any one of four lines for Vancouver can and will do damage. The same can’t be said for the Flames. Add in the fact that the Flames lack experience in the postseason and Vancouver looks like the victor in this series.
My guess is that it goes to seven games but all of the X-factors take the Canucks -150 to an improbable Round 2.
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