The 4-6 Flames are very poor on the road this season at 3-6, including 4 straight road losses. They are playing their 3rd game in 4 nights before returning home, and are 0-4 in similar situations. The Canadiens also 4-6 , are 4-0 against Flames, winning recently in Calgary in early December. It should be Markstrom vs Allen in net tonight. Markstrom has not been his dominant self this season, slipping to the #2 position in Flames net-minders. The Habs' net-minder Allen has been hot of late.

The Flames are a very large favorite today. They'll be a tired club, off an overtime loss, facing a very well-coached but uneven young club, with a record equal to Calgary's. The Canadiens are better rested and finally starting to get some players returning from injury. Given the situation and odds, I'm taking the Canadiens on the puck line at +1 1/2.