Flames Edge Wild in Tight Contest at Saddledome

What we said beforehand

The upcoming NHL matchup between the Calgary Flames and the Minnesota Wild is set to take place at Scotiabank Saddledome on October 23, 2026. This game is particularly intriguing as it pits a struggling Flames team against a Wild squad that has shown more consistency in their recent performances. The Flames come into this game with a home record of 2-6-0, while the Wild boast a much stronger away record of 6-2-2.

Calgary's recent form has been shaky, with their last five games resulting in two wins and three losses. They lost to the Colorado Avalanche 7-3, fell to the Anaheim Ducks 4-2, secured a victory against the Ducks in a subsequent matchup 4-2, lost to the Vegas Golden Knights 6-2, and finally edged out the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2. Over these five games, the Flames have averaged 2.8 goals scored per game while allowing 4.2 goals against. At home, they have struggled significantly, averaging just 2.1 goals scored and 4.1 goals allowed over their last ten games, with a current home record of 3-7.

In contrast, the Minnesota Wild have been performing well, with a record of 6-4 in their last ten games. Their recent outings include a win against the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2, a loss to the Winnipeg Jets 5-2, a close win over the St. Louis Blues 5-4, a victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1, and a loss to the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in overtime. The Wild have averaged 3.1 goals scored and 2.5 goals allowed during this stretch, showcasing their offensive capabilities.

The Flames and Wild have faced each other three times this season, with the Flames winning one of those matchups. Their most recent meeting on January 30, 2026, resulted in a 4-1 loss for the Flames. Earlier in the season, they had a home victory against the Wild, winning 4-1, but also suffered a 2-0 defeat in another away game. This history suggests a competitive rivalry, with the Flames looking to improve their standing against the Wild.

In terms of injuries, the Flames will be without Mikael Backlund (upper body), Samuel Honzek (lower body, injured reserve), and Jonathan Huberdeau (hip, injured reserve). The Wild are also dealing with significant injuries, as Maxim Shabanov (upper body), Filip Gustavsson (hip, injured reserve), Marcus Foligno (lower body, injured reserve), Nick Foligno (upper body, injured reserve), and Brock Faber (skull, injured reserve) are all out of the lineup. These injuries could impact both teams' performance, particularly for the Flames, who are missing key players.

The betting market reflects the current state of both teams, with DraftKings listing the Wild as favorites at -218 and the Flames at +180 on the money line. The spread is set at 1.5, with a total of 6.5 for the game. The odds for the over are at 110.0, while the under is at -130.0, indicating expectations for a competitive matchup with potential for scoring.

As for conditions, the game will be played indoors at Scotiabank Saddledome, which typically provides a controlled environment for both teams. Fans can expect a lively atmosphere as the Flames look to turn their home record around against a formidable Wild team.

Viewers should watch for the performance of Calgary's Morgan Frost, who leads the team with 3 goals and 5 points, and Joel Farabee, who has also been a key contributor with 5 assists. For the Wild, Kirill Kaprizov stands out with 11 goals and 17 points, along with Quinn Hughes, who has 11 assists. The matchup between these players could be pivotal in determining the outcome of the game.