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The Calgary Flames host the Seattle Kraken in a season opener on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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With the puck dropping for the beginning of the NHL season, here's who we pick to take home the victory in Thursday's action.
Kraken vs. Flames Predictions for Thursday
Our computer projection model for this matchup predicts a final result of Flames 3, Kraken 2.
- Moneyline Pick: Flames (-112)
- Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
- Spread Pick: Kraken (+1.5)
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Flames Splits and Trends
- The Flames (34-39-9 overall) had a 7-9-16 record last season in contests that required overtime.
- Calgary picked up 26 points (10-6-6) in the 22 games it played that were decided by one goal.
- In the 21 games last season the Flames scored just one goal, they went 1-18-2 (four points).
- Calgary finished 8-9-2 in the 19 games last season when it scored exactly two goals (registering 18 points).
- The Flames scored three or more goals 37 times, and went 25-8-4 in those games (to record 54 points).
- In the 20 games when Calgary scored a lone power-play goal, it went 9-7-4 to record 22 points.
- In the 30 games when it outshot its opponent, Calgary was 11-16-3 (25 points).
- The Flames were outshot by their opponent 50 times, and went 22-22-6 (50 points).
Kraken Splits and Trends
- The Kraken had a record of 34-37-11 last season and were 8-11-19 in overtime games.
- In the 21 games Seattle played that were decided by one goal, it picked up 27 points.
- Last season the Kraken registered only one goal in 11 games, and they finished 0-10-1.
- Seattle accumulated nine points (2-16-5) when scoring two goals last season.
- The Kraken picked up 68 points in their 44 games when they scored three or more goals.
- Last season Seattle recorded a single power-play goal in 32 games and picked up 39 points, with a record of 16-9-7.
- When it outshot its opponent last season, Seattle posted a record of 6-13-3 (15 points).
- The Kraken were outshot by their opponents 55 times last season, and took 58 points from those games.
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Team Stats Comparison (2025-26)
| Flames Rank | Flames AVG | Kraken AVG | Kraken Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32nd | 2.54 | Goals Scored | 2.73 | 28th |
| 21st | 3.12 | Goals Allowed | 3.13 | 23rd |
| 11th | 28.1 | Shots | 25.5 | 27th |
| 30th | 29.8 | Shots Allowed | 29.3 | 24th |
| 31st | 16.16% | Power Play % | 19% | 21st |
| 12th | 80.41% | Penalty Kill % | 72.22% | 31st |
Kraken vs. Flames Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Where: Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta
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