Ahead of the game: Florida Panthers vs. Calgary Flames

After 4 days between games, the Calgary Flames take the ice tonight against the Florida Panthers.  The last meeting between these two teams did not go the Flames way.  Here’s what I’m looking at ahead of tonight’s game, betting odds included.

I’m not gonna lie.  There is a lot to be concerned about tonight.

Schedule

In the second time in as many weeks, the Calgary Flames are playing after an abnormal number of days off.  Thanks to COVID-related game postponements, it has been four days since their loss to the Ottawa Senators.  And they had to wait 5 days to get to that game.

The Panthers, on the other hand have had a more “traditional” schedule leading up to tonight, having one or two days off between matches.

There is only one way to get into “game” shape.  And that is to play games.  The Panthers are one of the best teams in the NHL and I am concerned about the Flames’ ability to keep up after so much time off.

Offense

The schedule is not the only area where these two teams diverge.

The Calgary Flames are 1-4 in their last 5 games.  And they have been woefully outscored 21-12 in that time.  That’s a problem.  But it’s even more of a problem that those goals have basically come from the top line.  It is no secret that secondary scoring is a huge issue for the Flames going into tonight.

The Panthers, on the other hand, are 4-0-1 in their last 5.  They put the Flames to shame, posting 30 goals in that stretch.  And their production has come from all over the lineup.

In an effort to solve that probem, Head Coach Darryl Sutter has been tinkering with the forward lines in practice over the last four days.  Most recently, Mikael Backlund has centered the second line between Andrew Mangiapane and Blake Coleman.  It isn’t clear whether that’s how the lines look tonight.

Whatever the combinations end up being, the puck needs to go in the net.

Sam Bennett

This will not only be Bennett’s first trip to the Saddledome since his trade to Florida, it will his first time facing the Calgary Flames at all.

Despite saying all the right things, this has to be an emotional night for the centre.  I believe he put in the effort as a Flame, but for whatever reason he could not deliver on the expectations that came with being the team’s highest ever draft pick.

Bennett’s emotional game is something to pay attention to.  By that, I mean it can get him into trouble.  He missed his first game against the Flames because he was suspended for an illegal check against the Montreal Canadiens.  Prior to that, he lost a game for boarding against the Tampa Bay Lightning in last year’s playoffs.

He is, according to NHL Player Safety, a repeat offender.

As such, the Calgary Flames would be wise to keep their heads up going into the corners.

Betting Lines

According to WynnBET, the Panthers are 1.5-point favourites on the road.  Florida has 1.64 moneyline odds, with the home team Calgary Flames a 2.35 on the moneyline.  The total for tonight is an over/under of 6.5.  Odds favour the ‘Over’ at 1.86.