The 2025-26 NHL season features a matchup between two .500 teams in the Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames, both battling for playoff positioning in their respective divisions. The Predators, led by captain Roman Josi and forward Filip Forsberg, have shown flashes of offensive potency but struggled with consistency, particularly on the road. The Flames, with a veteran core including Jonathan Huberdeau and Nazem Kadri, have relied on strong home performances and goaltending from Dustin Wolf to stay competitive. This game at Scotiabank Saddledome could turn on special teams, where Calgary’s power play ranks mid-pack, while Nashville’s penalty kill has been leaky. With both teams at identical records, expect a tight, physical contest as they vie for crucial points in the Western Conference wild-card race.
Venue Location
Scotiabank Saddledome, located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This iconic arena has a capacity of approximately 19,289 for hockey and serves as the home venue for the Calgary Flames.
Puckdrop is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. MT (7:00 p.m. ET).
Injury Report
Nashville Predators: Forward Jonathan Marchessault is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and his status for the game is questionable after missing recent action. Forward Ozzy Wiesblatt is on injured reserve with an upper-body injury and expected to miss 8-10 weeks. No other major injuries reported, with the core lineup intact.
Calgary Flames: Forward Jonathan Huberdeau is on injured reserve with an undisclosed injury, impacting their offensive depth. Forward Sam Honzek is out long-term (six months) following upper-body surgery. Defenseman Zayne Parekh is sidelined with an upper-body injury, and defenseman Kevin Bahl is day-to-day with an illness. Defenseman Jake Bean is on IR with an undisclosed issue. These absences could strain Calgary’s blue line and forward group.
Key Player Matchups
This game will spotlight offensive talents against defensive stalwarts, with Nashville’s scoring threats testing Calgary’s goaltending and blue line in a battle for puck possession.
Filip Forsberg (NSH, F) vs. MacKenzie Weegar (CGY, D): Forsberg’s elite shot and playmaking (leading Predators in goals) will challenge Weegar’s physical, shutdown style, potentially deciding transition plays and power-play opportunities.
Steven Stamkos (NSH, F) vs. Nazem Kadri (CGY, F): Stamkos’ veteran scoring touch meets Kadri’s two-way game and faceoff prowess, key for center-ice battles and secondary scoring lines.
Roman Josi (NSH, D) vs. Jonathan Huberdeau (CGY, F): Josi’s offensive contributions from the blue line face Huberdeau’s creativity (if he plays through injury), with this matchup crucial for zone entries and odd-man rushes.
Juuse Saros (NSH, G) vs. Rasmus Andersson (CGY, D): Saros, Nashville’s workhorse netminder, must handle Andersson’s point shots and quarterbacking, especially on the Flames’ power play.
Recent Team Forms
Nashville Predators: The Predators are 3-1-1 in their last five games, finding some momentum after a mid-season slump. Recent results include a 4-2 win over Vegas on December 29, a 5-2 loss to Winnipeg on November 29, and overtime battles showing resilience. They’ve outscored opponents 15-12 in this stretch, with improved special teams play.
Calgary Flames: The Flames are on a three-game win streak entering the matchup, going 4-1-0 in their last five. Highlights include a 5-1 win over Philadelphia on January 1, a 2-1 victory over Boston on December 30, and earlier losses exposing defensive vulnerabilities. They’ve outscored foes 14-9 recently, bolstered by strong home performances.
Series History
The Predators hold a slight all-time edge with a 45-38-4-4 record against the Flames in 91 meetings (51.6% win rate). In the last 14 games, Calgary is 5-6-3, indicating competitive matchups. Nashville went 1-2-0 against Calgary in the 2024-25 season, but the Predators have won 11 of the last 20 overall. Games often feature low scoring, with the under hitting in recent encounters, and home teams winning 60% of the series since 2020.
Betting Trends
Nashville is 5-2 straight up in their last seven games but 4-6 against the spread (ATS) as underdogs this season. The under has hit in four of their last six games, averaging 5.4 combined goals, due to strong goaltending from Saros.
Calgary is 6-3 as moneyline favorites this year and 4-1 ATS in their last five home games. The over has gone 4-1 in their recent stretch, with games averaging 6.2 goals, reflecting improved offense but defensive inconsistencies.
Head-to-head, the under has hit in six of the last 10 meetings (average 5.2 goals). Favorites have covered 60% in this series over the past three seasons, favoring Calgary at home. Current odds: Predators +112, Flames -128; Puck Line: Predators +1.5 (-225), Flames -1.5 (+185); Total: 5.5 (Over -115, Under -105).
Game Odds
Nashville Predators 5.5
Calgary Flames – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 2, 2026
