by OddsShark (@OddsShark) – Sponsored Post
The Calgary Flames will be looking to kick off a crucial five-game homestand on a winning note when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday as -170 favourites on the NHL odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Calgary closed out its recent five-game road trip with a decisive 3-0 win in Florida on Sunday to maintain control of third place in the Pacific Division standings going into Wednesday night’s matchup at Scotiabank Saddledome.
Blue Jackets at Flames | OddsShark Matchup Report
After picking up at least a point in eight of their past 12 contests, the Flames sit one point up on the fourth-place Vancouver Canucks in the Pacific Division race. And with 11 of their final 15 regular-season contests coming on home ice, the team now has ample opportunity to strengthen their hold on a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
However, despite their recent steady performance that saw them pick up seven of a potential 10 points during their road trip, the Flames have work to do to reverse what has been a dismal stretch of play on home ice. The team has fallen to defeat in six of their past seven home contests while surrendering five goals per game, and has earned the win in just eight of 22 home dates since early November, according to the OddsShark NHL Database.
While the Flames’ porous defense has generated a 10-3-0 run for the OVER in totals betting over their past 13 home games, continued disappointing play at home represents a real threat to their playoff hopes. Those concerns are reflected on the Stanley Cup odds, where Calgary sits back at +4000 at online betting sites.
A visit from Columbus may help shake the Flames out of their home ice funk. Winless in their past five road dates, the Blue Jackets open their three-game swing through Western Canada on Wednesday as +150 underdogs. The Blue Jackets tallied a 5-3 win over the Canucks as -140 home chalk on Sunday, but have otherwise struggled badly since early February, falling to defeat in 10 of their past 12 contests.
Injuries have been a massive concern in Columbus, with the club missing several regulars including Seth Jones, Cam Atkinson, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins. Columbus has also struggled in recent dates with the Flames, losing three straight since March 2018, but has earned the win in eight of nine visits to Calgary since March 2011.
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