The Calgary Flames will need a win to avoid elimination from playoff contention when they host the surging Ottawa Senators on Sunday night as -180 home favorites on the NHL odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.

Calgary will be playing for its playoff life after falling to defeat in three of its past four outings, leaving the team 10 points back of the fourth-place Montreal Canadiens with just five games remaining on its schedule going into Sunday night’s matchup at Scotiabank Saddledome.

A favorable schedule has done little to boost Calgary’s playoff hopes. The Flames have hit the ice just twice in the past 10 days, turning in dismal performances in a 4-1 loss in Edmonton on May 1, followed by a decisive 4-0 loss to the visiting Winnipeg Jets last Wednesday. Overall, the team has tallied just five total goals during its current 1-2-0 run. That has helped to maintain a steady run for the UNDER in totals betting, which has paid out in each of Calgary’s past four contests, and in eight of 11 overall (how the OVER/UNDER works).

While a victory over Ottawa on Sunday night would keep the Flames mathematically in contention for a playoff spot, the team is far from controlling its own destiny. In addition to running the table over their final five contests, including at least two wins in regulation or overtime, the Flames need the Canadiens to fall to defeat in regulation in each of their final two scheduled contests.

If the Flames are to remain in the hunt by posting five straight victories, a feat the team has not accomplished since January 2020, they will have to dramatically improve upon their recent performance at home. The team has scored just one total goal while losing two straight at the Saddledome, and has tallied consecutive wins just once while going 4-8-0 over its past 12.

The Flames have also consistently come up short when facing the Senators this season, falling to defeat in each of their past four meetings, and in six of eight overall. And with Ottawa currently playing its best hockey of the season, things get no easier on Sunday night.

Winners in each of their past three outings, the Senators travel to Calgary as +160 underdogs at online betting sites. Powered by rookie Time Stutzle’s first career hat trick, Ottawa marched to a 4-2 win in Winnipeg on Saturday, and has outscored opponents by a wide 34-17 margin while winning eight of its past 10 contests.