by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Nov 19, 2022
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Venue: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, FL
Where to watch: BSFLX, NHLN, TVAS2, SN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Panthers -130, Flames +110
FanDuel: Panthers -122, Flames +102
BetMGM: Panthers -130, Flames +110
Caesars: Panthers -130, Flames +110
Season record
Flames: 7-7-2 (16 points)
Panthers: 9-7-1 (19 points)
What an electric start to the NHL season. So much parity, so many good teams through the first 10-plus games, you have every right to be excited! Of course the Vegas Golden Knights and Boston Bruins are heading the fun charge here as the top two teams in the league, because of course they are. But never count out the Avalanche, you know they're always going to be hanging around and will be eating worlds once they get everyone healthy. But this is a good time to be playing these hockey games, as well. Look no further than our own Doc's Sports on a 14-7-0 run over the first 30 days of the NHL season. There's also ASA, Inc. posting a 12-5-1 mark through the first month. You know you can trust our champion handicappers to get you across the finish line with your NHL bets. Check out our Best Bets page at bigal.com to see what we're throwing down!
Flames - Panthers preview, prediction and analysis
Recent results
Flames: lost 4-1 at Lightning on Thursday
Panthers: lost 6-4 vs. Stars on Thursday
It’s the first meeting of the matchup I think we’ve all been anticipating for quite some time. Jonathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar return to Sunrise as members of the Calgary Flames to take on the Florida Panthers, and it’ll be the first time Matthew Tkachuk faces the Flames since the blockbuster trade this offseason that sent shockwaves throughout the league.
It’s the first meeting of the matchup I think we’ve all been anticipating for quite some time. Jonathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar return to Sunrise as members of the Calgary Flames to take on the Florida Panthers, and it’ll be the first time Matthew Tkachuk faces the Flames since the blockbuster trade this offseason that sent shockwaves throughout the league.
The teams will meet Saturday in Sunrise for what should be an electric matchup. Funny thing is, even after this trade, it was expected the Flames and Panthers would be much better off. Unfortunately the Flames had to go a lengthy time without Huberdeau in the lineup due to injury, and the Panthers haven’t necessarily set the world on fire after winning the Presidents’ Trophy last year.
The Flames are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Nazem Kadri scored the lone goal, but it was Huberdeau with an assist. The 29-year-old scoring machine is coming off a 115-points season last year as a major part of Florida’s historic season that ended in a sweep to the Lightning.
“Even here, being on the other side, it’s part of it,” Huberdeau said. “You look forward to it. Over the summer, after the trade, I circled it on the calendar. I want to do well and for us to win. After that, I’m going to turn the page and that’s how it’s going to be. A great chapter of my life. I was here for 10 years, had great memories. We had ups and downs. Trades happen, it’s the business, and it’s time to turn the page.”
Huberdeau became one of the best players in the league in his time in Florida, and now he’s a cornerstone in Calgary along with Kadri and others. Who knows what would’ve happened with Paul Maurice coaching this group with Huberdeau in the fold?
What we do know is that Tkachuk is fitting in nicely with this group with 22 points in 15 games and plenty of time to keep this thing going in a positive direction. Tkachuk is coming off a 104-point season last year that included 42 goals in Calgary. That too led to a five-game elimination in the second round at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers before Calgary pulled off the trade.
The Panthers are coming off a 6-4 loss to the Dallas Stars on Thursday after they had won three of four. Tkachuk had a goal and an assist and nearly helped bring Florida back from a 5-1 deficit, but the hole was too big.
“It’s early in the year, but this game still means a lot for the team and myself. I’d be lying if I told you guys if I said it’s another game,” Tkachuk said. “It’s a little bit different facing your former team, but at the end of the day, it’s a game our team has to win.
Prediction
I have good faith in the home team. The emotion for Huberdeau may not exactly cause him to play too aggressive, but not as controlled as his former teammates in a game they need to win. Panthers win 4-3
Betting trends
Flames are 11-16 after allowing 3 goals or more in 2 straight games the last 2 seasons.
Flames are 2-9 after allowing 4 goals or more in 2 straight games the last 2 seasons.
Panthers are 128-124 at home after scoring 3 goals or more in 2 straight games since 1996.
Projected lines
Flames:
Adam Ruzicka -- Elias Lindholm -- Tyler Toffoli
Milan Lucic -- Nazem Kadri -- Andrew Mangiapane
Jonathan Huberdeau -- Mikael Backlund -- Trevor Lewis
Blake Coleman -- Dillon Dube -- Brett Ritchie
Noah Hanifin -- Rasmus Andersson
Chris Tanev -- MacKenzie Weegar
Nikita Zadorov -- Nick DeSimone
Jacob Markstrom
Adam Ruzicka -- Elias Lindholm -- Tyler Toffoli
Milan Lucic -- Nazem Kadri -- Andrew Mangiapane
Jonathan Huberdeau -- Mikael Backlund -- Trevor Lewis
Blake Coleman -- Dillon Dube -- Brett Ritchie
Noah Hanifin -- Rasmus Andersson
Chris Tanev -- MacKenzie Weegar
Nikita Zadorov -- Nick DeSimone
Jacob Markstrom
Panthers:
Carter Verhaeghe -- Aleksander Barkov -- Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen -- Sam Bennett -- Colin White
Ryan Lomberg -- Anton Lundell -- Sam Reinhart
Nick Cousins -- Eric Staal -- Patric Hornqvist
Gustav Forsling -- Brandon Montour
Josh Mahura -- Radko Gudas
Marc Staal -- Aaron Ekblad
Spencer Knight
Carter Verhaeghe -- Aleksander Barkov -- Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen -- Sam Bennett -- Colin White
Ryan Lomberg -- Anton Lundell -- Sam Reinhart
Nick Cousins -- Eric Staal -- Patric Hornqvist
Gustav Forsling -- Brandon Montour
Josh Mahura -- Radko Gudas
Marc Staal -- Aaron Ekblad
Spencer Knight
Statistical leaders
Flames:
Points: Nazem Kadri -- 14
Goals: Elias Lindholm -- 7
Assists: Rasmus Andersson -- 12
Goalie: Jacob Markstrom -- 6-4-2, 3.06 GAA, .887 SV%
Panthers:
Points: Matthew Tkachuk -- 22
Goals: Carter Verhaeghe -- 11
Assists: Matthew Tkachuk -- 16
Goalie: Spencer Knight -- 5-3-1, 2.25 GAA, .923 SV%
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert hockey picks today. And if you enjoyed this Calgary Flames - Florida Panthers prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NHL projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
