The Chicago Blackhawks (6-5-3) visit the Calgary Flames (4-9-2) in Friday action north of the border. The contest at Scotiabank Saddledome is slated for a 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+) opening faceoff. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Blackhawks vs. Flames odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Calgary swept 3-0 in 2024-25
Chicago is finishing off a 5-game western road swing that had seen the club lose 3 straight (0-2-1) before notching a 5-2 (Over 6) triumph at the -148 Vancouver Canucks Wednesday. All 7 goals in Wednesday’s tilt were scored in the third period.
The Flames won 5-1 (push 6) as a -114 home favorite over the Columbus Blue Jackets in their last game, which was also Wednesday.
Blackhawks at Flames odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:29 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Blackhawks +118 (bet $100 to win $118) | Flames -145 (bet $145 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blackhawks +1.5 (-200) | Flames -1.5 (+165)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)Blackhawks at Flames projected goalies
Spencer Knight (5-3-2, 2.56 GAA, .919 SV%) vs. Dustin Wolf (4-8-1, 3.19 GAA, .895 SV%)
Knight went the route in Wednesday’s win in Vancouver, stopping 43 of 45 shots. The ‘Hawks primary netminder has started 10 of the club’s 14 games so far.
Wolf was also busy in his last start. He was between the pipes in Wednesday’s win over Columbus and registered 42 saves while allowing 1 twine-finder. The 24-year-old owns a .930 SV% across 6 home games.
Blackhawks at Flames picks and predictionsPrediction
Flames 3, Blackhawks 2
Calgary has won 3 in a row overall and 3 straight at home against Chicago. In last season’s series, the Flames outscored the Blackhawks 14-7.
A Calgary club that went a robust 11-2-3 in its last 16 games last season is seeking a third straight victory for what would be a first time this fall. The Flames got off to an atrocious 1-7-1 start this year, but of late they have fared better in 5-on-5 play and are 3-2-1 across their last 6 games. That 3-2-1 mark includes a pair of 5-1 victories, one (Oct. 26) against a New York Rangers club leading the NHL in defense and another (Nov. 5) against the Blue Jackets, who are 6-3-0 in their last 9 games.
Expected-goals analysis is not kind to the Blackhawks, who even with their recent losing skid figure to be out too far over their skis with a 6-5-3 mark. Shooting percentages — 12.4% for the ‘Hawks, 8.4% for the Flames — go a long way to justifying that their records could well be reversed.
Knight has been excellent for Chicago, but he and the squad in front of him could well be fatigued from this current road trip. The Blackhawks yielded 45 shots in their Wednesday game and have allowed 31-plus shots 5 times since Oct. 17.
Wolf has been terrific at home, and last season he registered a .918 SV% across 3 starts against the ‘Hawks.
Expect the Flames to win the day when it comes to out-chancing Chicago on high-danger looks. CALGARY (-145) is a solid leverage play.
No interest; PASS.
The Under is 2-1 across the last 3 series meetings at the Saddledome, and the Under is 6-3 in Chicago’s last 9 games.
Knight ranks among the league’s best in goals saved above average, and Wolf — with a .967 SV% over his last 2 games and a .929 mark over his last 5 — is on a nice trend line.
With some fade to Chicago’s offensive numbers and some play in Calgary’s defensive outlook, the UNDER 6 (-110) is a slight lean.
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