10:30 pm
August 1

Jets v. Flames

Who will WIN this matchup?

Winnipeg Jets (37-34-6)

Calgary Flames (36-34-7)

 

Starting Goalies:

Connor Hellebuyck (WPG): Unconfirmed

Cam Talbot (CGY): Unconfirmed

 

Current odds:

Winnipeg Jets: (+105)

Calgary Flames: (-125)

 

• As the Flames ready to kick off their best-of-five qualifying round series against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night in Edmonton, the horrid memories of their unceremonious upset at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche in the opening round of last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs is fresh in their minds — and motivation going forward.

• Of all the qualifying round matchups, the Flames-Jets series is likely the biggest pick ’em of the bunch. When the league shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March, the Jets had one more point than the Flames, but played one more game. Calgary is the higher seed thanks to an edge in points percentage.

• Winnipeg claimed the only meeting during the truncated regular season, a 2-1 overtime affair played outdoors in Regina way back in late October.

• If there’s one area with an obvious difference between the clubs, it’s between the pipes. While Calgary has no clear-cut No. 1 goalie with its duo of David Rittich and Cam Talbot, Winnipeg has a standout netminder in Connor Hellebuyck, who is well deserving of potential Vezina Trophy accolades.

• Both teams will be without a noteworthy player. Winnipeg center Bryan Little won’t play due to a season-ending head injury suffered in November, while Calgary defenseman Travis Hamonic opted out of playing due to concerns about the virus.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Winnipeg Jets
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