The Calgary Flames will make their return to the ice after the Christmas break as they face off against the San Jose Sharks, who are coming off a disappointing 6-3 defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights. Fans can expect slow beginnings to the game, leading to my prediction of the Under hitting on the full-game total. With the puck set to drop at 10 p.m. ET tonight at San Jose's SAP Center, this matchup promises to be intriguing, if not entirely thrilling, based on both teams' recent performances.
My prediction for the Flames vs. Sharks game is to bet on the Under 6 (+110 at BET99). This season, the Calgary Flames have been one of the more perplexing teams. Currently, they sit two points behind the second wild card spot for the Western Conference, but their lack of secondary scoring remains their Achilles' heel. Averaging just 2.71 goals per game, they rank among the lowest-scoring teams, primarily due to their struggles to create opportunities during 5-on-5 play. Calgary boasts one of the lowest rates of high-danger scoring chances, tallying only 9.96 per contest.
Adding to their woes, the Flames have had limited success on the power play, managing only nine attempts over their last five games, with more than two opportunities occurring just once. This season, Calgary has recorded the ninth-fewest power plays, totaling just 91.
On the flip side, the San Jose Sharks have also struggled to find the back of the net, averaging just 2.74 goals per game and converting on only 17.7% of their power play chances. Both teams currently find themselves ranked within the Bottom 10 of the league concerning scoring output, setting expectations low for any potential fireworks this evening.
Despite the slow scoring trends, notable players are still making strides. For the Flames, only three players — Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri, and Connor Zary — have surpassed 20 points amid their 34 games this season. Huberdeau and Kadri lead the team with 13 goals each, showcasing their importance on the ice, yet they need secondary players to step up for more consistent production. The Sharks, conversely, have six players with 20 or more points, including the rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini, who has garnered 26 points across 26 games.
This contest is set to be even more challenging for the Sharks, who are playing back-to-back games following their recent loss. Meanwhile, the Flames are well-rested, but often it takes time to return to rhythm after extended breaks. Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf will be tough to beat, creating additional challenges for San Jose. Expected to start for the Sharks is Yaroslav Askarov, who has performed admirably, maintaining a .909 save percentage and a 2.75 goals-against average.
Given their trend toward low scoring, my expectation remains grounded: the under is the best bet for this matchup. Taking another angle, when examining same-game parlays, one might look at Huberdeau, who has recorded at least two shots on goal in four of his last five games. The Sharks currently allow the most shots on goal against per contest, providing Huberdeau ample opportunities to shine.
Kadri is another name to watch; he has points in six of his last seven games, showcasing his consistency and time on ice, which often exceeds 18 minutes. His historical performance against San Jose is promising, with 27 points accumulated over just 30 career games against them. This backdrop hints at increased production possibilities for top players even amid general team struggles.
For those interested, the current betting odds are as follows: the Flames are -1.5 (+160) on the puck line, whereas the Sharks are +1.5 (-190). The moneyline shows Calgary at -150, nudged slightly above San Jose at +125. For those betting on the total score, options break down to Over 6.5 (+105) or Under 6.5 (-125).
It’s important to note the Flames have only successfully won 4 of their 15 road games this season, adding another layer of complexity when assessing their performance on away ice. Examining the historical matchup shows Calgary triumphing recently, having reported victories in seven of their last eight contests against the Sharks.
So as the puck is set to drop, the Flames will be aiming to restore some momentum after the break, and the Sharks will look to rebound from their heavy loss. Both teams will strive for greater scoring efficacy, yet their track record suggests tonight's contest may be one for defense. Keep your eyes peeled as these two teams clash, and let’s see if the expected low score proves accurate.
