The Pittsburgh Penguins (23-14-11) hit the road to face the Calgary Flames (21-23-5) in a cross-conference clash at Scotiabank Saddledome. Pittsburgh comes off a convincing 6-3 win over Seattle, showing offensive depth despite defensive injuries, while Calgary dropped a tight 2-1 overtime loss to New Jersey, highlighting their goaltending strength but scoring struggles. With both teams dealing with key absences, this could be a low-scoring affair decided by special teams, where the Penguins’ power play edges out Calgary’s penalty kill. Expect Pittsburgh’s veterans like Sidney Crosby to exploit the Flames’ inconsistencies for a potential road victory.
Venue Location
Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. MT).
Pittsburgh holds a playoff spot in the East, while Calgary fights to climb out of the West’s lower tier.
Recent Team Forms
Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins are 5-4-1 in their last 10, alternating wins and losses but showing offensive punch in victories (averaging 4.2 GPG in wins). Defensive injuries have led to inconsistencies, allowing 3+ goals in four losses.
Key recent results:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Jan 19, 2026 | @ Seattle Kraken | W | 6-3 |
| Jan 17, 2026 | vs. Columbus Blue Jackets | L (SO) | 3-4 |
| Jan 16, 2026 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (wait, error; likely vs NYR or similar) | L | 3-6 |
| Jan 15, 2026 | @ Buffalo Sabres | L | 2-5 |
| Jan 13, 2026 | vs. Tampa Bay Lightning | L | 1-5 |
| Jan 11, 2026 | vs. Tampa Bay Lightning | L | 2-4 |
| Jan 9, 2026 | @ Toronto Maple Leafs | L (OT) | 3-4 |
Pittsburgh’s form emphasizes veteran leadership but vulnerability on the road.
Calgary Flames: The Flames are 3-6-1 in their last 10, with defensive solidity (2.5 GAA in wins) but offensive droughts (under 2 GPG in five losses). They’ve struggled at home lately.
Recent results:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Jan 19, 2026 | vs. New Jersey Devils | L (OT) | 1-2 |
| Jan 17, 2026 | @ Columbus Blue Jackets | W | 4-3 |
| Jan 15, 2026 | vs. Chicago Blackhawks | W | 3-2 |
| Jan 13, 2026 | @ New York Islanders | L | 1-4 |
| Jan 10, 2026 | vs. Boston Bruins | L | 1-4 |
| Jan 7, 2026 | @ Montreal Canadiens | L | 1-4 |
| Jan 5, 2026 | vs. Seattle Kraken | L | 1-5 |
Calgary’s form shows resilience in close games but frequent scoring issues.
Injury Report
Pittsburgh Penguins:
Erik Karlsson (D): Out (Undisclosed) – On IR, expected return Jan 25.
Kris Letang (D): Day-to-Day (Upper Body) – Missed practice, status uncertain.
Caleb Jones (D): IR (Lower Body) – Expected return Jan 25.
Filip Hallander (C): Out (Leg).
Tanner Howe (LW): IR (ACL) – Long-term.
Peyton Kettles (D): Out (Undisclosed).
The Penguins’ blue line is depleted, forcing reliance on younger defenders.
Calgary Flames:
Zayne Parekh (D): Day-to-Day (Upper Body) – On conditioning loan, expected return Jan 31.
Blake Coleman (LW): IR (Upper Body) – Expected return Jan 25.
John Beecher (C): IR (Upper Body) – Expected return Feb 2.
Samuel Honzek (LW): Out (Upper Body) – Long-term, post-surgery.
Jake Bean (D): Out (Undisclosed/Surgery) – Indefinite.
Calgary’s forward depth is hit hard, impacting their shutdown lines.
Key
Player Matchups
This matchup highlights veteran stars amid injuries, with Pittsburgh’s offense testing Calgary’s goaltending:
Sidney Crosby (PIT) vs. Nazem Kadri (CGY): Crosby (leading Penguins with high points) brings elite playmaking (0.9 PPG) against Kadri’s two-way grit (top Flames scorer). This center battle could control the neutral zone.
Evgeni Malkin (PIT) vs. Mikael Backlund (CGY): Malkin (scoring depth) faces Backlund’s defensive prowess; expect a physical showdown for puck possession.
Rickard Rakell (PIT) vs. MacKenzie Weegar (CGY): Rakell’s shooting vs. Weegar’s blocking (top-pair D) – a key wing-defenseman clash.
Bryan Rust (PIT) vs. Jonathan Huberdeau (CGY): Rust’s speed tests Huberdeau’s creativity in secondary scoring roles.
Tristan Jarry (PIT, G) vs. Dustin Wolf (CGY, G): Jarry (solid save %) edges Wolf, but Wolf’s home performance could shine.
Pittsburgh’s experience gives them edges, but Calgary’s depth could exploit defensive gaps.
Series History
The Flames hold a 51-45-23 all-time edge over the Penguins in 119 regular-season games. Recently, Calgary is 6-3-1 in the last 10 meetings, including a 2-1 win on Jan 10, 2026. Pittsburgh has struggled in Calgary, going 1-4 in their last five visits. Over the last 10 head-to-heads, six games have gone under 6 total goals.
Betting Trends
Spread: Pittsburgh is 4-6 ATS in last 10; Flames 3-2 ATS as home underdogs.
Over/Under: Under in 7 of Flames’ last 10; Over in 4 of Penguins’ last 6 road games.
Other Trends: Penguins 3-6 SU vs. Flames in last 9; Flames 2-3 SU in last 5 home games. The under has hit in 6 of last 10 head-to-heads.
Game Odds
Pittsburgh Penguins – 118
Calgary Flames 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, January 20, 2026
