Calgary Flames vs. Los Angeles Kings Prediction, NHL Odds
The Flames opened their brief two-game road trip with Thursday’s 3-0 victory in Anaheim, snapping a four-game slide away from Scotiabank Saddledome, and lifting them to within three points of Arizona in the battle for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. The Kings opened a three-game homestand in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Seattle, and now rank second last in the West with a middling 5-6-3 home record.
Winners in a pair of home dates with Calgary last season, the Kings lead the way as -155 home favourites on the Saturday NHL odds. The Flames are listed as +130 underdogs in their bid to win four in a row for the first time this season, and the total is pegged at 6.0.
Flames vs. Kings NHL Betting Odds
The Flames have enjoyed the benefit of Jacob Markstrom’s recent return to the lineup. Sidelined by a broken finger earlier this month, the veteran netminder has been outstanding in his return to action this week, turning aside 57 of 58 total shots while leading the club to this week’s victories over Florida and Seattle. Overall, the Flames have allowed just three total goals during their current three-game surge, which marks a huge turnaround after getting lit up for 4.14 goals per game during a preceding 1-4-2 run.
The Kings, meanwhile, have seen goals come at a premium, averaging just 2.17 markers per game over their current 2-3-1 run, and just eight total goals while losing three of their past four home contests. However, LA has been dominant when facing Western Conference opponents this season, piling up an 11-3-1 record, and deserved a far better fate in Wednesday’s loss while outshooting the Kraken by a wide 43-30 margin.
Calgary Flames
Elias Lindholm provided the spark in Thursday’s victory over the Ducks, scoring once and adding a pair of assists in his third three-point performance of the season. Lindholm has been prone to streakiness this season, enduring a pair of lengthy scoring droughts, but has recorded six points over the past five games after being limited to just two goals and no helpers in his previous eight outings. Things have not gone quite as well for Jonathan Huberdeau, who enters Saturday’s matchup at Crypto.com Arena with no points in 10 appearances so far this month, resulting in his ice time getting reduced at times. However, the 30-year-old has enjoyed historical success against the Kings, potting five goals and 14 points over his past 10 appearances.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings have lost four of their past six despite regularly outshooting opponents. LA shooters have averaged over 37 shots on goal over the club’s past 10 contests but have managed to score an average of just 2.50 goals per game over that stretch. Anze Kopitar has remained one of the Kings’ most consistent producers with three goals and 10 points in nine games this month. However, Pierre-Luc Dubois has continued to be a massive disappointment. Signed to an eight-year deal with a massive cap hit of $8.5 million after being acquired in a costly deal with the Winnipeg Jets, Dubois enters the weekend with just one point in his past 10 games and has recorded just seven total shots on goal in his past five home appearances. With the offence struggling, the Kings have been fortunate to have veteran Cam Talbot between the pipes. Expected to be the starter on Saturday, Talbot has limited opponents to two or fewer goals in 12 of his past 15 outings.