Non-Conf Game of the Month NHL
(NHL) Penguins (PIT) vs. Flames (CGY),
Money Line: -110.00 Flames (CGY) (Home)
Result: Win
#36 ASA TOP PLAY ON Calgary Flames -115 over Pittsburgh Penguins, Tuesday at 9:30 PM ET - The Flames are off an OT loss after starting the season 4-0. Even with that defeat, the 2-1 loss to Seattle marked the 3rd straight game in which Calgary has allowed only 1 goal in regulation. Overall, the Flames have allowed an average of only 1.5 goals in regulation time of their last 4 games. Conversely, the Penguins are having big time goalie issues. Jarry struggled and so then Blomqvist was given a chance and he ended up struggling but then Pittsburgh was happy they got Nedeljkovic back from injury. However, he came out and gave up 5 goals in his season debut! The point is that nobody has been able to properly protect the Penguins crease just yet and now Pittsburgh is facing a Calgary team that is fired up off a low-scoring loss. The Flames had scored 4.5 goals in regulation time of their first 4 games prior to that defeat. Pittsburgh has scored well too this season but the big difference is the defensive play of these clubs. The Penguins are a mess right now while Calgary has been strong protecting their goal throughout this season. We get solid line value here because similar to the Yankees in MLB or Lakers in NBA or Cowboys in NFL, the Penguins are a bit of a public team when it comes to popular NHL teams. They have veterans like Crosby and Malkin but they truly have an aging roster and we have been particularly concerned with what we have seen from Pittsburgh defensively and in goal early this season. The Penguins have allowed 4.4 goals per game this season and have allowed at least 3 goals in all 7 games. Compare that to a Flames team that has allowed a total of only 3 goals in the last 3 games! Also, the Flames have the home ice edge in this one as well! Calgary is the bet here.