Pittsburgh Penguins vs Calgary Flames Picks and Prediction for Wednesday January 21 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 01/21/2026, 12:15 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Penguins head to Alberta to face the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, with puck drop scheduled for 9:30 PM EST. This interconference matchup will be televised on ESPN+. The betting market lists this game as a near pick’em, with both teams priced at -110 on the moneyline. The total is set at 6.5 goals, with the Over at +110 and the Under at -130. Be sure to check out our free NHL picks for more daily NHL betting coverage.

Penguins Bring Firepower into Calgary

Pittsburgh comes into this matchup with a 23-14-11 overall record and has been solid away from home, posting a 12-7-4 road mark. Over their last five games, the Penguins have recently won on the road against the Kraken and picked up a home win over the Flyers, while also losing to the Blue Jackets in a shootout, falling to the Lightning in another shootout, and dropping a tight road game against the Bruins.

Statistically, the Penguins have been one of the more productive offensive teams in the league, averaging 3.23 goals per game while allowing 2.92 goals against. They generate 29 shots per game and limit opponents to 27.6 shots against, helping them maintain strong puck possession numbers.

Special teams have been a major advantage for Pittsburgh this season. The Penguins boast an elite 28% power play that has already produced 37 goals, and their penalty kill sits at 83.1%. That efficiency on both sides of special teams often gives Pittsburgh an edge in close games.

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Flames Look to Defend Home Ice

Calgary enters Wednesday night with a 21-23-5 overall record but has been much more competitive at home, where the Flames are 13-7-3 at the Saddledome. In their last five games, Calgary has recently beaten the Islanders, Blackhawks, and Penguins, while also suffering losses to the Devils in overtime and the Blue Jackets.

From a team metrics standpoint, the Flames are averaging 2.55 goals per game and allowing 2.92 goals against. They put 28.9 shots per game on net while giving up 29.1 shots against, showing relatively even play but limited finishing ability at times.

One area where Calgary has stood out is short-handed scoring, as the Flames have netted seven shorthanded goals this season. However, their power play continues to struggle at just 14.9%, placing more emphasis on strong defensive play and goaltending to stay competitive.

Penguins vs Flames Pick

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Calgary Flames Pick

Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins -110 (Moneyline)

Pittsburgh’s offensive depth and elite power play give them a slight edge in a matchup that is otherwise very evenly priced. Calgary’s power play struggles could be costly against a disciplined Penguins team that capitalizes on special teams chances. With Pittsburgh already showing they can win on the road, backing the Penguins at a near even price offers value.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Calgary Flames Total Pick

Pick: Under 6.5 Goals

I am taking the Under in this game because both teams tend to play tight, structured hockey, especially in Calgary. The Flames rely heavily on defense and goaltending, and Pittsburgh has shown a willingness to slow games down when protecting leads. With the total set at 6.5, I see this matchup finishing below that number.

Final Score Prediction:

Penguins 3, Flames 2

This prediction was written before the completion of game play on Tuesday.

How To Bet This Matchup

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