The Calgary Flames are 3-0 to start the year and will host the resurgent Chicago Blackhawks at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday, October 15th.

Anthony Mantha was a welcome addition for Calgary, recording two goals, two assists and six shots. My Blackhawks vs. Flames predictions and NHL picks expect the veteran winger to continue to be an offensive presence tonight.

Blackhawks vs Flames prediction

My best choice
Anthony Mantha over 1.5 shots (-140 at BET99)

My analysis
It was an excellent start for the Calgary Flames and veteran winger Anthony Mantha. The 30-year-old winger scores points in 5-on-5 games and is a real goalscorer with the second power play unit. In the three games he took advantage of the opportunity with two goals and two assists.

He also recorded six shots on 10 attempts, posted a solid 52.1 Corsi-For percentage at 5-on-5 and averaged 2:07 of power play time per game. Additionally, with his linemates Martin Pospisil and Jonathan Hubeardeau, Mantha posted a solid 56.3 CF% and contested 64.7% of their offensive zone faceoffs at 5-on-5.

This is also an incredibly comfortable matchup for Mantha and the Flames, focusing on racking up shots and advancing possession. The Chicago Blackhawks have taken the third-most shots per game (33.3) and are 30th at 5-on-5 with 41.0 CF%.

Poor possession numbers are nothing new for the Hawks either. Chicago allowed the fifth-most shots (32.7) and ranked last last year with 43.7 CF%.

Finally, I also appreciate that Flames head coach Ryan Huska has the benefit of the latest change, and I expect him to aim to have centers Nazem Kadri and Mikael Backlund playing at even strength against the top-ranked Blackhawks. It will open up more favorable matches on the ice for Mantha and his linemates on Tuesday.

Same parlay between Blackhawks and Flames (SGP)

Anthony Mantha Over 1.5 shots

Connor Bedard Over 2.5 shots

Philipp Kurashev Under 0.5 points

Chicago superstar Connor Bedard had five shots on eight attempts against Utah earlier in the year, so it's a bit surprising that there have only been two shots and seven attempts in the last two games. Last year he regularly traded at a 3.5 batting average and went 3+ in 41 of 68 games.

As for the Blackhawks' second-line center Philipp Kurashev, his offensive numbers drop when he's not running with Bedard. Since last season, Kurashev has averaged just 1.15 goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 without Bedard on the ice, compared to 2.2 goals when they're together.

The decline in man advantage is even worse, with Kurshav and Bedard scoring 9.56 goals per 60 on the PP and Kurashev scoring just 1.98 goals without Bedard.

Learn how to place a bet in the same game with these helpful tips and strategies.

Blackhawks vs Flames odds

Blackhawks vs Flames live odds

Blackhawks vs. Flames opening odds

• Puck line: Chicago +1.5 (-180) | Calgary -1.5 (+123)
• Money line: Chicago +135 | Calgary -160
• Over/Under: Over 6 | Under 6

Blackhawks vs. Flames Moneyline and Over/Under Analysis

• There was some back-and-forth on this moneyline early on, with some stores getting buybacks to Calgary after switching to the Chicago side early.
• I expect the Flames to trade at a higher BET99 per puck drop tonight.
• This total is moving towards, and BET99 has the higher value associated with its available offers above 6 (-115) and below 6.5 (-130).
• I also don't assume that there will be any significant fluctuations in the odds overall.

Blackhawks vs. Flames trending

Flames winger Anthony Mantha has taken more than two shots in two of three games to start the season. Find more NHL betting trends for Blackhawks vs. Flames.

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