Ducks vs. Flames Prediction: NHL Betting Odds
It’s the second of four meetings between the Flames and Ducks this season and Calgary’s first look at Anaheim since the Ducks fired coach Randy Carlyle a little less than two weeks ago. The former Maple Leafs coach led the Ducks to the Stanley Cup in the 2006-07 season and was the winningest coach in franchise history. However, the team was vastly disappointing this season – injuries have played a major role. Carlyle has been replaced for the rest of this season by General Manager Bob Murray.
Ducks vs Flames Betting Analysis
Interesting scheduling between these Pacific Division rivals considering they haven’t played since the first meeting on Nov. 7, a 3-2 Ducks home win (Calgary never wins in Anaheim). Trailing 2-0 in the first, the Flames tied it on goals by Matthew Tkachuk at 17:10 of the first and Mark Jankowski shorthanded at 6:06 of the third. However, Anaheim’s Ryan Getzlaf scored the winner just 27 seconds later. Ryan Miller stopped 37 shots in the win, while Mike Smith had 21 saves in the loss.
The teams play in Calgary again on March 29 and in Anaheim on April 3.
Anaheim is 5-1 in the past six meetings in Calgary and the under is 6-0 in the previous six matchups overall.
Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim has played better under Murray in winning three of four, but there was really nowhere to go but up considering the team had lost 19 of 21 prior to that. The club still has a shot at a wild-card spot. The Ducks come off a 4-0 upset win at Minnesota on Tuesday. Miller, the former Vancouver Canuck, had 31 saves for his 44th career shutout. That’s now back-to-back wins for Miller after missing nearly two months with a knee injury.
On Sunday, he set the wins record for an American-born goalie with his 375th, passing John Vanbiesbrouck. On the season, Miller is 6-2-1 with a 2.39 GAA and .929 save percentage. Ryan Kesler was among the goal-scorers Tuesday, his first point since Dec. 2. Kesler used to be one of the better players in the league, but injuries and age (34) have gotten the best of him. The Ducks are 5-15 in their past 20 as an underdog.
Calgary Flames
The Flames have followed a four-game slide with three straight wins – scoring at least four goals in each. It was 4-2 over the visiting Islanders on Wednesday. Calgary led 2-0 after 16 minutes on goals from Mikael Backlund (15th of season) and Travis Hamonic (fifth), but the Islanders tied it early in the third. However, Austin Czarnik’s fifth of the season at 6:10 of the third would prove the winner, and Johnny Gaudreau’s 30th (on the power play) about 30 seconds later was the clincher. Gaudreau hadn’t found the net in his previous nine games. Czarnik now has in three straight games. Smith had to make just 18 saves. The Flames are 8-2 in their past 10 at home.
