Flames vs Stars 08/18/20 – Odds and NHL Betting Trends
3 years ago
by OddsShark (@OddsShark) – Sponsored Post
The Calgary Flames will be looking to avoid suffering consecutive losses for the first time since February when they return to action against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round series as +105 underdogs on the NHL odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
Calgary is coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to Dallas in Game 4 action on Sunday, knotting the series at two games apiece going into Tuesday night’s matchup at Rogers Place.
Flames vs Stars | OddsShark Matchup Report
With these two teams taking turns tallying wins through the first four games of the series, they remain neck-and-neck on the NHL playoff series prices. The Flames are once again set as even-money underdogs in the wake of Sunday’s loss, while the Stars have inched ahead as -120 favorites to claim victory in their first ever playoff matchup with Calgary.
The Flames have been steady performers since early February, suffering consecutive defeats on just one occasion while posting wins in 14 of their past 23 overall contests. However, the team must show dramatic improvement at both ends of the ice to avoid falling behind in the series for the first time in Game 5.
Calgary showed a lack of discipline while taking seven penalties on Sunday night, including five straight infractions over the final 22 minutes of regulation. The Stars made them pay, potting power play goals near the end of the first and second periods. In addition, the Flames defense provided netminder Cam Talbot with little support, particularly in the third period, when they were badly outshot by a 21-6 margin.
Overall, the Flames were outshot by a wide 62-40 margin, which marked the most shots they have allowed since the Colorado Avalanche peppered them with over 50 shots on two occasions during their loss in the first round of last year’s playoffs.
One positive from the contest was Calgary’s special teams. While the penalty kill allowed a pair of goals, it also got one back with Tobias Rieder tallying the club’s fourth shorthanded goal of the playoffs early in the third period. The Flames’ power play was also clicking, with Johnny Gaudreau and Sam Bennett both scoring with the man advantage.
However, the Flames’ single goal at even strength is a cause for concern. While Calgary has scored 13 goals in the series, fueling a 2-1-1 run for the OVER at online betting sites, just six of those markers have come at even strength. Further complicating matters is the club’s recent dismal record in Game 5 situations, posting losses in each of their past six, while scoring just nine total goals in those contests.
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