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Wild vs Flames Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks

Wild Riding Hot streak into Calgary

Once on the playoff bubble, the Minnesota Wild are making a serious push for the Central Division title, one that continues Saturday against the Calgary Flames.

The Wild have gone 7-1-2 in their last eight games to move within three points of the Dallas Stars in the Central Division and reinforcements will soon join the fray.

Minnesota added defenseman John Klingberg from the Anaheim Ducks and forward Oskar Sundqvist from the Detroit Red Wings for the stretch run.

We’re a team that takes a lot of pride in defending and protecting our net,” Minnesota general manager Bill Guerin told the media after acquiring Klingberg, a 30-year-old with 24 points in 50 games. “We like to defend first, but when there is a play to be made, he’s the type of guy that can really make a high-level offensive play.”

The Wild will be facing a Calgary team that is going the other way, having lost four straight games to fall five points out of the Western Conference wild card race.

The Flames dropped seven one-goal games in February and March, including 4-3 overtime defeats to both the Boston Bruins and Vegas Golden Knights and a 2-1 setback Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the four-game swoon.

Calgary made a couple of small moves at the deadline, but nothing that will move the needle for a team that allowed four or more goals in six of the last nine games.

NHL predictions aren’t high on the Wild winning the Western Conference (+1000).

Gustavsson On Fire In Net for Wild

Filip Gustavsson has been the NHL’s hottest goalies outside of Boston’s Linus Ullmark and has wrestled the starting job away from Marc-Andre Fleury for the Wild.

After a slow start, the 24-year-old Swede has posted a sub-2.06 goals against average in each of the last four months, including 1.62 in February.

Gustavsson now trails only Ullmark in GAA (1.88 to 2.06) and save percentage (.938 to .930) although he has faced far fewer shots (808) than all but Boston back-up Jeremy Swayman among those in the top 10 in the league in save percentage.

The former second-round draft pick gave the New York Islanders just one goal on 40 shot attempts, his fifth game allowing just one goal in his last six starts.

Dube On Pace for Career-High in Goals

Former second-round draft pick Dillon Dube is making the most of his opportunities in his fifth season and second full campaign with the Flames.

The center has posted a shooting percentage of 18.4% since the start of the year, ranking 36th in the NHL among players with at least 20 games over that span.

The result has been nine goals and eight assists in 24 games, putting the British Columbia native one-goal shy of matching his career-high of 18 set last season.

Being paired on the top line with Elias Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli, has allowed Dube to register five goals and six assists in the last 11 contests.

Wild vs Flames Game Injuries

Wild vs Flames Head-to-Head

The Flames have taken five of the last six meetings from the Wild, including a 5-3 decision Dec. 7 that saw them overcome a 2-0 deficit after one period.

These teams will meet again Tuesday in Minnesota to close the season series.

Wild vs Flames Game Information

  • Game: Wild (35-21-6) vs Flames (27-22-13)
  • Location: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
  • Day/Time: Saturday, March, 4 10 p.m. ET
  • Wild vs Flames Live Stream:NHL.TV

Wild vs Flames Betting Lines


Wild vs Flames Picks & Prediction

The Flames, who are second in the NHL in shots per game (35.63) and shots against per game (27), are -145 on the NHL lines money line. The Wild have not been a profitable sports bet as a road underdog vs. the money line, losing their last five.

Under is 9-1 in the last 10 Wild games and 3-6 in the last nine Calgary contests.

Calgary is listed at -150 in our Las Vegas NHL odds. This means that if you wager $100 on the Flames, you have a chance to win $67. Minnesota is +130, offering a chance to win $130 on a $100 wager.

The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Calgary a 60.00% chance to win, with the Wild 43.48%.

Wild vs Flames Edge

Wild vs Flames Results

Wild vs Flames Game Summary

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