NHL Tuesday best bets: Expect goaltending battle in Nashville

Monday night was a mixed bag. The Detroit Red Wings came through for us against the Anaheim Ducks, but the Edmonton Oilers were unable to extend their winning streak in Ottawa.

We'll aim for better with our best bets for tonight's massive 11-game slate.

This game has under written all over it. At five-on-five, the Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks both rank in the bottom half of the league in expected goal generation over the last 10 games. Each offense is potent, but neither will overwhelm its opponent with high-danger chances on an average night.

But what really stands out to me is the goaltending matchup. Even if the two sides generate more opportunities than usual, each team has a high-end netminder to help clean up the mess. Juuse Saros owns a remarkable .927 save percentage and has saved 19.1 goals above expectation, which ranks fourth among all goaltenders.

Although Thatcher Demko's numbers this season aren't as strong as Saros', he has played at an elite level for quite some time. Demko owns an absurd .935 save percentage since Bruce Boudreau took over as head coach in early December. He is routinely keeping the Canucks in games (or downright stealing them), which you love to see when you're backing a game to be low-scoring.

The cherry on top is that these teams' previous meetings this season were very low-event games. Both went under the number and featured an average of just 20 high-danger chances per contest. That's very low.

Don't expect many goals in this one.

Bet: Under 5.5 (-125)

The Calgary Flames hit a rough patch, but they appear to be coming out of it. They have won three of their last four games and outscored opponents 15-7 in that stretch.

Four games is four games. However, their underlying numbers suggest this breakout was a long time coming.

At five-on-five, Calgary generated 117 high-danger chances over the last 10 games. That ties the team for fourth in the NHL. The Flames have been just as effective at prevention, allowing fewer high-danger opportunities than every club except the Bruins, Kraken, and Wild.

Combine the Flames' prowess at both ends of the rink and it's no surprise their share of high-danger chances (61.26%) leads the NHL over the last 10 games.

The Dallas Stars (50.78%) are no pushovers; however, their numbers don't hold a candle to what the Flames are putting up right now.

Also working in Calgary's favor is Braden Holtby's absence. The Stars will turn to Jake Oettinger as a result, and he is struggling mightily with a woeful .885 save percentage over his last nine starts.

Couple Calgary's strong five-on-five performance with a clear edge in goal and I like the Flames to stay hot.

Bet: Flames (-125)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

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