The Calgary Flames have been a consistent playoff contender in recent years, but their odds of winning the Stanley Cup in 2023 may not be as favourable as some fans might hope. Here, we’ll explore the factors that could impact the Flames’ chances and what the experts are saying about their odds of taking home the Cup this year.
A season to forget
This may go down as a season in which almost everything went wrong for the Calgary Flames. Prior to the start of the season, the team was expected to be a strong contender for the Stanley Cup, with gambling sites of the calibre of Bet365 casino giving them the fourth-highest odds to win it all. The acquisitions of Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri were expected to elevate the team’s performance, but things didn’t go as expected to put it mildly. These changes did not make the team better equipped to handle playoff hockey as everyone expected.
Unfortunately, the Flames are now facing an uphill battle to make the playoffs. While we can’t place all the blame on head coach Darryl Sutter, it’s understandable that he had an instrumental role in where the team is now. This is why we will start with a few reasons for and against the coach’s resignation.
Betting on the Flames
For those looking to place a bet on the Flames’ odds of winning the Stanley Cup in 2023, it’s important to do your research and understand the factors that could impact their performance. Betting on sports, including hockey, can be a fun way to get in on the action and potentially win some money, but it’s important to gamble responsibly and not exceed your budget.
Darryl Sutter – the good and the bad
Sutter’s successful coaching career is indisputable, with achievements such as leading the Flames to the 2004 Stanley Cup Final and winning two Stanley Cups with the Los Angeles Kings. A major factor in his success is his tactical expertise and understanding of the game. Sutter’s system of shot volume, puck possession, tight-checking, and man-on-man defence has proven effective for the Flames, ranking first in shot attempts, fifth in expected goals for, and fourth in scoring chances against. However, the team has faced challenges with executing at a high level, such as missed opportunities and goaltending struggles, resulting in a low save percentage ranking of 29th among 58 goalies.
Goaltending
One of the biggest questions facing the Flames heading into the 2023 season is goaltending. Jacob Markstrom’s woes have been widely discussed, while on the other hand, Dan Vladar’s performance has been improving steadily. Vladar outranks Markstrom in many of the performance-based statistics and, as a result, deserves to have played more often. It’s ultimately Darryl Sutter’s problem to figure out, but a tandem seems to be the best option here. However, with lacklustre goaltending, the Flames can’t possibly be hoping for a spot in the Playoffs.
Offensive production
The Flames have struggled with offensive production in their NHL performance in recent years, finishing near the bottom of the league in goals scored. While they have some talented forwards on their roster, they will need more consistent scoring from their entire lineup if they hope to be a serious contender for a spot in the Playoffs. The back-to-back wins against Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild were a breath of fresh air for the team and got them right back in the game. Calgary is still lagging behind Colorado and Vancouver.
The good news
Calgary Flames have the easiest schedule until the end of the regular season. Yes, that’s a big opportunity to win points and get up on the rank list. However, they have shown an unyielding persistence in ruining such good opportunities—as we said earlier, consistency has not been a strong suit of the team. However, if they manage to win the games against the Ducks, Blackhawks, and Sharks, the Flames will be sitting pretty. The team has around a 30% chance of making the Playoffs as of April 1, with six games left if we average out the predictions of sportsbooks and the internet as a whole. The chances of winning the Cup, with their present performance, are around 2%—and experts agree.
Final thoughts
While the Flames have a solid roster and some promising new additions, their odds of winning the Stanley Cup in 2023 may not be as favourable as some fans might hope. However, anything can happen in the playoffs, and the team could surprise us all with a deep playoff run. For those looking to bet on the NHL, it’s important to gamble responsibly and not exceed your budget. Ultimately, the most important thing is to enjoy the game and support your team, win or lose.
You must be logged in to post a comment.