Columbus Blue Jackets vs Calgary Flames 1/23/2023 Expert Picks Predictions and Previews
The Columbus Blue Jackets will travel to Alberta to face off against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on Monday, January 23rd. The Blue Jackets have had a difficult season thus far, with a record of 14-30-2 and 30 points, sitting last in the Metropolitan division. They have also struggled at home, winning only three of their last 19 games played in their home arena. However, the team will look to build on a recent win against the San Jose Sharks, where they scored five goals and allowed only three, ending a three-game losing streak.
In the win against the Sharks, Left-wingmen Gustav Nyquist, Johnny Gaudreau, and RW Patrik Laine all contributed with one goal and one assist each, leading the way for Columbus. Gaudreau has been a standout player for the Blue Jackets this season, tallying 13 goals and 31 assists, earning a team-high 44 points. In net, GK Joonas Korpisalo has a record of 7-8-1 with a save percentage of .909 and a goals-against average of 3.27. The Blue Jackets have an offense that averages 2.46 goals per game, but their defense has been a weakness, giving up an average of 3.87 goals per match. On special teams, the Blue Jackets score 14.9% of the time on the power play and have a penalty kill unit that is successful 77.3% of the time.
- Columbus is 1-6 SU in their last 7 matches with the Flames.
- The Columbus Bluejackets are 1-11 SU in their last 12 games on the road.
- The total stayed UNDER in 6 of Columbus’ last 8 games on the road against Calgary.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Calgary Flames 1/23/2023 Expert Picks Predictions and Previews
Meanwhile, the Calgary Flames will look to continue their winning ways as they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday evening. The Flames currently have a record of 22-16-9, with 53 points overall, and sitting at fifth in the Pacific Division, with a solid home record of 13-8-2. The team came off a strong performance in their last home game, where they shut out the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period and ultimately won 6-3. The Flames were led by Nazem Kadri, who scored a power-play goal and assisted by Tyler Toffoli and Rasmus Andersson.
Nazem Kadri has been a strong offensive player for the Flames, with 18 goals on the season, while Elias Lindholm leads the team in assists with 28 and also leads in scoring with 42. In net, Jacob Markstrom has a record of 13-12-5, with a save percentage of .895 and a goals-against average of 2.82. As a team, the Flames have been solid on offense, averaging 3.09 goals per game, but their defense has been slightly weaker, conceding an average of 2.96 goals per outing. On special teams, the Flames have been successful in the power play, scoring 20.0% of the time, and their penalty kill unit has a success rate of 82.7%.
- The total stayed UNDER in 11 of Calgary’s last 16 matches with the Bluejackets.
- The total remained UNDER in 4 of the Flames’ last 5 games at home.
- The total went UNDER in 6 of Calgary’s last 8 games at home against Columbus.
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Calgary Flames. The NHL Pick for this contest is Calgary -400. Calgary dominated this matchup, winning six of the last seven between the two, and will pick up a victory on Monday, but the play here is UNDER. The UNDER has cashed in four of the last six meetings between Columbus and Calgary as well as in six of the last eight that Columbus has played on Calgary’s home ice. Columbus is scoring an average of just 2.46 goals per game Calgary allows an average of only 2.96 goals per game. Prediction: Calgary Flames win but our best to play is UNDER 5-2.
NHL Starting Time: 9:30 PM ET
Location: Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB
Date: Monday, January 23, 2023
TV: ESPN+
NHL Odds/Point Spread: Calgary Flames -400
NHL Totals: 6.5
