Neither the Calgary Flames nor Vegas Golden Knights have begun the 2025-26 campaign in strong fashion. Both sides are 1-2-0 over their first three games and have legitimate hopes of competing in a loaded Pacific Division this year. For Vegas, the work continues to integrate a new star into the lineup. For Calgary, finding a rhythm on offense becomes priority number one. Which side wins out in tonight’s matchup?
Get ready for the action with a Flames vs. Golden Knights prediction and pick on DraftKings Sportsbook for Tuesday’s game.
Flames vs. Knights prediction, preview
Calgary Flames
The Flames, well, flamed out of the playoff race last season down the stretch and now look to remedy that result. Goaltender Dustin Wolf gives them a great chance to win on any given night with excellent play between the posts after logging a 2.64 GAA and .910 SV% last year in his first full season as a starter. While he’s produced marks of 3.99 and .865% thus far, the sample size remains small and he can be expected to round into form before long. However, the Flames have conceded 12 goals across three contests and the second and third defensive pairings see some early issues with a -3 mark for MacKenzie Weegar and a -5 for Joel Hanley. Just like last year, there are some questions surrounding Rasmus Andersson’s level of intensity as he’s yet to record a point, but at the very least he’s still a net neutral in +/-. In the attacking half, first-liners Matt Coronato and Nazem Kadri lead with three and two points, and second-liner Joel Farabee also has a pair of assists. Calgary’s scored just seven goals to start the year though, and just as suspected prior to the season, the team needs offensive contributors to step up on a more regular basis.
Vegas Golden Knights
Out in Las Vegas, the Mitch Marner era hasn’t begun in the way most likely anticipated. The former Maple Leafs star has just two points but is a +3 while playing alongside Jack Eichel on the first line, who has tallied the second-most points of any NHL skater. The real revelation is Pavel Dorofeyev, the third-liner whose five goals currently lead the league after he notched an opening-night hat trick. The Golden Knights have scored 10 goals thus far and sit 10th in total shot attempts, so the offense hasn’t really struggled. The power play is clicking at 30.8% as well; plus the most recent 2-1 loss to the Kraken was no reason to panic. Things just haven’t broken in Vegas’ favor so far with a shootout loss to the Kings while conceding six goals, plus that overtime finish against Seattle. The blue line has played pretty well in the last two contests, but neither of the goaltenders have started the season on a high note. Adin Hill posts a 3.24 GAA and .854 SV% in his two games, while Akira Schmid’s SV% sits at .870 as well.
Flames vs. Golden Knights pick, best bet
DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Golden Knights as strong -175 road favorites on the Moneyline. On the flip side, the Flames hold +145 odds to win outright with a game total of 5.5 goals.
While Wolf is capable of playing some excellent hockey and can keep Calgary in games when he’s on, tonight’s matchup presents quite the test. Vegas’ roster is deep through the top three lines and far more star-studded with a first group of Marner, Eichel and Ivan Barbashev as well as Mark Stone on the second line. There’s plenty of firepower the Flames likely struggle to match, and even the Golden Knights’ defense may not truly see itself pushed tonight either. This is an easy game to pick as a case in which the better team should come out on top. Watch for the visitors to cover the usual puck line of -1.5 at plus odds.
