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 New York Rangers. Be sure to check out more NHL predictions every day there’s hockey this 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
Calgary Flames (30-25-11) vs New York Rangers (33-29-6)
Head-to-Head: Flames lead 1-0
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: NHL Power Play on ESPN+| A SNW | H MSG
The Calgary Flames and New York Rangers find themselves in a similar position heading into tonight’s game. The Rangers currently hold the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, although only by one point. The Rangers are in a grouping of teams all pushing for that final playoff spot. New York is in must-win territory for the rest of the season, and tonight’s game is no different. The Calgary Flames have been bouncing between the final wild card spot in the Western Conference, and just outside of it for the majority of the season. With a group of four teams all within two points of each other, every game is big one for Calgary. Let’s take a deep dive into at how these two desperate teams could play tonight and make a prediction on the outcome.
Calgary Needs to Do More
The Calgary Flames are trying desperately to outlast the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and Utah Hockey Club for the final playoff spot in the west. Calgary wasn’t supposed to be in this position in year two of rebuild. However, they have found ways to win games, and gotten a huge lift from their rookie goaltender. Dustin Wolf has been the backbone of this team all season, and if he can continue his great play and steal a few games he could find himself winning a Calder Trophy and leading the Flames to the playoffs. It doesn’t take long to figure out why the Wolf is so valuable to the Flames. Calgary currently sits last in the NHL in total and per game goals for. A team with such an inept offence should be nowhere near the playoffs.
Calgary comes into tonight’s contest having won just one in their last five games. The Flames are going to need some more players to step up offensively to support veterans Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri who lead the team. With such poor offence, going up against one of the best goalies in the league, Calgary is going to need to be near perfect defensively and hope they can capitalize when they get their chances.
New York Focused on the Playoffs
For this edition of NHL Predictions, the New York Rangers season has been full of drama. Early on the Rangers were in the headlines as negotiations with their Vezina Trophy goaltender Igor Shesterkin leaked into the public. The Rangers also sparked headlines when a supposed email from general manager Chris Drury was sent to all NHL teams letting them know he was interested in trading key players, including captain Jacob Trouba. At the time it was apparent that the New York Rangers and management were not in lock step. The team started struggling and the Rangers eventually made some big moves. The Rangers signed Igor Shesterkin, traded away Trouba, and former second overall Kaapo Kakko. They also made a big deal with the Vacouver Canucks to bring in J.T. Miller. After all these storylines and changes the Rangers, who entered this season with Stanley Cup hopes found themselves outside the playoffs. Now that things have settled down, the Rangers appear to be making a legitimate playoff push.
The Rangers best chance to make the playoffs is if their franchise goaltender Igor Shesterkin can return to his Vezina form. Maybe it was the distraction from contract discussions, but Shesterkin hasn’t been up to his standard of play. If he regains this form the Rangers will become a legitimate threat in the playoffs. New York is seeing a great return on J.T. Miller since acquiring him from Vancouver. Miller has recorded seven goals and 18 points in his 18 games in New York this season. New York should have an advantage against the Flames tonight as they’ll be playing the day after a matchup in Toronto.
NHL Predictions for the Flames vs Rangers
The New York Rangers are coming off a tough 3-1 loss at the hand of the Edmonton Oilers. They’ll be looking to bounce back against Calgary to make sure they stay in front of the surging Montreal Canadians. With the Flames coming in on a back-to-back the Rangers should be in a good position to pick up two points.
The Flames are coming off a tough matchup against the cup contender Maple Leafs. Calgary’s only hope is to come out strong and capitalize early before the Rangers get their legs. Unfortunately, the Flames offence hasn’t proved it can do that very often and a matchup with Shesterkin doesn’t bode well. Expect Calgary to start their eastern road trip 0-2.
Prediction Rangers Win 4-2
Prop Bets of the Night
The Flames have a bad habit of taking too many penalties, and without one of their best penalty killers Mikael Backlund the Rangers are likely to get at least one power play goal. You can find +340 odds for Chris Kreider to score an anytime goal, and with his 6 power play goals on the season, this bet is worth considering.
On the Flames side of things, look to Connor Zary to pick up a point in his return to action. He’ll be hungry to prove himself after his undisciplined play got him suspended.
Main Photo: John E. Sokolowski – Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: March 18th Calgary Flames vs New York Rangers appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.