The Pittsburgh Penguins (23-14-11) travel to Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, to face the Calgary Flames (21-23-5) at 9:30 PM ET. The Penguins enter this matchup with a superior record and strong recent form, while the Flames look to snap their losing streak on home ice.
Current Situation
Pittsburgh arrives in Calgary riding momentum from a convincing 6-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken. The Penguins converted 6 of 32 shots on goal, demonstrating efficient offensive production. Calgary, meanwhile, enters the game reeling from a tight 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, managing just 1 goal on 22 shots.
| Team | Record | Points | Points % | Goals For | Goals Against | Differential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 23-14-11 | 57 | .594 | 155 (3.2/game) | 140 (2.9/game) | +15 |
| Calgary Flames | 21-23-5 | 47 | .480 | 125 (2.6/game) | 143 (2.9/game) | -18 |
Statistical Comparison
The Penguins rank 15th in the NHL in scoring with 155 total goals while maintaining an elite defensive profile, allowing just 140 goals to rank 7th-best defensively. Their +15 goal differential is 9th-best in the league.
| Category | Pittsburgh | Calgary | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Play Goals | 37 (7th NHL) | N/A | Pittsburgh |
| Power Play % | 28.03% (3rd NHL) | N/A | Pittsburgh |
| Goals Per Game | 3.2 | 2.6 | Pittsburgh |
| Goals Against/Game | 2.9 | 2.9 | Even |
| Home/Away GAA | 2.17 (2nd NHL) | 2.35 (Away) | Pittsburgh |
Pittsburgh's power play has been among the league's best, converting at a 28.03% rate, which ranks third in the NHL. The Flames have struggled offensively, averaging just 2.6 goals per game.
Goaltending Analysis
| Goaltender | Team | Save % | Career Quality Starts | Home/Away Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stuart Skinner | Pittsburgh | .904 | 110 (55.0%) | Road start |
| Dustin Wolf | Calgary | .924 | Elite | 2.16 GAA at home |
The goaltending matchup presents an interesting dynamic. Calgary's Dustin Wolf has been exceptional at home with a .924 save percentage and 2.16 GAA across 19 home starts. However, Pittsburgh's overall team performance has been more consistent throughout the season.
Key Factors
The Penguins' recent form gives them a significant edge heading into this matchup. Coming off a dominant 6-3 victory demonstrates their offensive firepower is clicking at the right time. With Evgeni Malkin leading the charge, Pittsburgh has the experience and depth to exploit Calgary's defensive vulnerabilities.
Calgary's home ice advantage cannot be overlooked. The Flames have allowed the second-fewest goals per home game this season at 2.35, and their penalty kill has been league-best since the holiday break. The Flames have also covered the puck line in 16 of their last 20 home games, suggesting they compete well even in losses.
The pivotal factor remains Pittsburgh's third-ranked power play at 28.03%. Against a Calgary team that struggles to generate offense (just 1 goal on 22 shots in their last game), the Penguins need only a few power play opportunities to potentially decide the outcome.
Prediction
Direction: Pittsburgh Probability: 68% Horizon: 1 day (January 22, 2026) Answer: Yes
The Pittsburgh Penguins' superior record (23-14-11 vs 21-23-5), higher goal differential (+15 vs -18), and elite power play (28.03%, 3rd in NHL) position them as favorites to win. While Calgary's home goaltending has been strong, the Flames' offensive struggles and recent loss suggest they will have difficulty matching Pittsburgh's scoring output. The Penguins are projected to win 4-3 or by a similar margin.