Welcome to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in. Today, we’re looking at the Calgary Flames against the Vegas Golden Knights. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions every day there’s hockey this 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
Calgary Flames (38-27-14) vs Colorado Avalanche (49-22-9)
Head-to-Head: Vegas leads 2-0
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: NHL Power Play on ESPN+ | A SCRIPPS | H SNW | TVAS
The Vegas Golden Knights season has gone exactly as most predicted coming into the year. A Stanley Cup contender on paper who should be all but guaranteed a playoff spot. Vegas will finish the season as the winner of the Pacific Division and maintain home-ice advantage for at least the first two rounds of the playoffs. The Golden Knights have a strong roster built on depth and championship pedigree. On the other hand, the Calgary Flames are one of the year’s biggest surprises. Most experts had them pegged to finish near the bottom of the league. However, with two games remaining on the year, the Calgary Flames still have a chance at the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Calgary has battled all year to put themselves in this position despite not being a top team on paper.
In the first three matchups of the season, Vegas proved to be too much for Calgary. The Flames were shutout in their first two contests, but did manage an overtime loss in their most recent head-to-head game. Calgary’s offence has struggled all season while Vegas is one of the best defensive teams in the league. Heading into tonight’s game, Calgary will be desperate to create offence and find a way to win as their season hangs in the balance. Let’s break down how both teams stack up ahead of tonight’s NHL Predictions.
Calgary Must Win
The Calgary Flames need to win their last two games and even then it may not be enough. It starts tonight for Calgary, a tough matchup against the best team in their division. Calgary is playing well as of late, but they’ll need to be their best to win this game. Calgary will turn to their season MVP, rookie Dustin Wolf in goal and hope he can continue his stellar play to contain the Golden Knights. The biggest challenge for Calgary will be to create enough offence to secure the two points. Calgary is one of the lowest-scoring teams, while Vegas has allowed the fourth fewest goals all season. The Flames will be looking for their leading scorer Nazem Kadri to provide more timely scoring and hope that the supporting cast can chip in. As of late Calgary has gotten a small boost from Yegor Sharangovich who’s scored in three straight games, and rookie sniper Matthew Coronato who’s nearing 25 goals.
Vegas Balancing Rest vs Rust
The Vegas Golden Knights are locked into their playoff position. With two games to go, they cannot catch Winnipeg for the top spot in the Western Conference, and no one can catch them for first in the Pacific Division. This means the priority for Vegas in the final two games is likely health. Their leading scorer, Jack Eichel is listed as day-to-day which could mean good news for Calgary. The Flames hope that some of the other key Golden Knights will be banged up and choose to sit out in this contest. However, Vegas finishes their season on a back-to-back which could mean they do most of their sitting tomorrow night. Whether or not the Golden Knights put out a full roster or not, still doesn’t give the advantage to Calgary. The well-coached Vegas team has plenty of depth to slide in and with their sound structure this game should stay close enough for them to win even without a few key players.
NHL Predictions: Flames vs. Golden Knights
There’s no question that Las Vegas is the better team on the ice tonight. However, with the Flame season hanging in the balance, and Vegas with little to play for Calgary has an opportunity to keep their season alive. Expect Calgary to bring their best effort from start to finish and never relent. If Calgary can find a way to score at least three goals, they’ll have a chance to get the win. The Flames desperation and the opportunity for a playoff birth should allow them to win a hard-fought, must-win contest.
Prediction: Calgary wins 4-3
Prop Bets of the Night
With a game of this magnitude for Calgary look to Nazem Kadri to step up. He’s scored five game winning goals this season included two massive overtime winners in March. Kadri to score an anytime goal is going at +270 on some sportsbooks.
For Vegas, Pavel Dorofeyev has similar odds to score. He scored in the last contest against Calgary and should see increased powerplay time if Jack Eichel doesn’t dress.
Main Photo: Brett Holmes- Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: April 15 Calgary Flames vs Vegas Golden Knights appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.