Canucks vs Flames Odds, Picks, and How to Watch

• The Canucks and Flames faceoff in the North Division on Saturday, January 16th, 2021
• Calgary poached Jacob Markstrom and Chris Tanev from Vancouver during the offseason
• Read below for the odds, game preview, and betting pick

The Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames will play their first of 10 meetings this season on Saturday, January 16th, 2021. Puck drop is set for 10:00 PM EST from Scotiabank Saddledome. You can watch the game on NHL Network.

Calgary is being listed as -130 favorites after dropping its opening game of the season against Winnipeg. The Canucks split a back-to-back series with Connor McDavid and the Oilers to begin the year.

Will Flames goaltender Jacob Markstrom rise to the occasion in his first start against his former team?

Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames Odds

Odds taken Jan. 15 at FanDuel

The Calgary Canucks 

The Flames are being favored over the Canucks after signing two of Vancouver’s most important players during the offseason. Calgary landed both goaltender Jacob Markstrom and defenseman Chris Tanev in free agency. They also signed ex-Canuck Josh Leivo for good measure.

MY GOODNESS JACOB MARKSTROM (@j_markstrom)! #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/M8wzP3A3VX

— NHL (@NHL) January 15, 2021

The free agent acquisitions are already paying dividends for the Flames, as Markstrom made a huge glove save on Mark Scheifele in the season opener against Winnipeg to help the Flames take the game to overtime. Tanev also played an important role, logging 20:22 of ice time, including 3:15 shorthanded.

It’s a small sample size, but the Flames showed some positive signs in their lone game thus far. Top forwards Matthew Tkachuk, Johnny Gaudreau, and Elias Lindholm all scored in the loss to the Jets, which is a trend that will need to continue if Calgary hopes to make the playoffs.

Pettersson, Hughes Lead Lethal Vancouver Offense 

The Canucks are 1-1-0 to start the year after splitting a back-to-back with Connor McDavid and the Oilers. Vancouver was the better team in a 5-3 victory on Wednesday, but it was the Oilers who dominated in a 5-2 Edmonton victory on Thursday.

Vancouver was torched by McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the second game of the two-game set, but the Canucks’ offense has picked up where it left off last season. Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, and Adam Gaudette are among the forwards who have already gotten on the board, while Quinn Hughes leads the team in scoring with three assists.

This pass from Hughes is just ridiculous, as is the shot from @BBoeser16. 😎😎 pic.twitter.com/j3HDKdNSzo

— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) January 14, 2021

It’s only a matter of time before Elias Pettersson makes his mark on the season as well. The Swedish phenom has put up 66 points in consecutive seasons and came very close to scoring his first of the year Thursday night. He’s been without his top linemate from last season in J.T. Miller, who remains out of the lineup due to COVID-19 protocols.

What’s The Best Bet? 

These are two offensive powerhouses that can fill the back of the net with ease. The Canucks had the second-highest scoring offense in the Western Conference last season, while the Flames are just a couple of years removed from having the second-highest scoring in the entire league.

Markstrom stole countless games for Vancouver last season, but that’s something that could work in favor of the Canucks considering they’re familiar with his playing style and weaknesses. In the Vancouver crease, neither Braden Holtby nor Thatcher Demko have been overly impressive out of the gate.

In the two most recent meetings between Calgary and Vancouver, there were at least seven goals scored in each contest. Neither team is very strong defensively and relies on its offense to garner victories. With the Flames’ stars clicking in the season opener and Pettersson due for a breakout game, expect plenty of offensive fireworks on Saturday.

Pick: Over 6.5 Goals (+110)