Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames: NHL Odds, Prediction
Third of four meetings between the teams, with the Flames going back to Los Angeles on March 26. The first two have both been won 4-3 by Calgary. It was in overtime in L.A. on Oct. 11 as Sean Monahan scored the winner 1:02 into OT. Matthew Tkachuk had two goals and Mike Smith made 42 saves. Dustin Brown had two goals and an assist for the Kings.
Kings vs Flames Betting Analysis
On Jan. 4 at the Saddledome, the Flames won in regulation by that 4-3 count to start Los Angeles on a season-high six-game losing streak. All four Calgary goals were in the second period, which it entered trailing 2-0. Monahan and Micheal Ferland each had a goal and an assist. Johnny Gaudreau had two assists. Tanner Pearson found the net twice for L.A.
Smith has faced the Kings 27 times in his career and is 17-8-1 with a 2.29 goals-against average and .903 save percentage. Gaudreau has five goals and 14 assists with a plus-8 rating in 16 games vs. L.A. The Flames are 5-1 in the past six meetings overall. The total has gone over in three of the previous five.
Los Angeles Kings
This is the final game before the break for the Kings (25-18-5) as they are the only team not in action Thursday. L.A. could use the time off as it has dropped seven of eight following Tuesday’s 6-2 loss in Vancouver. No. 1 goaltender Jonathan Quick was yanked early in the second period after allowing five goals on 19 shots.
Darcy Kuemper made 16 saves in relief, and it could be Kuemper in this one. The Kings allowed the Canucks three power-play goals. That’s unusual because Los Angeles ranks No. 1 on the penalty kill at 85.5 per cent. One bright spot Tuesday was Anze Kopitar with a goal and an assist, his fourth straight game with at least one point. He leads the club in goals (19) and assists (31).
Calgary Flames
The Flames (25-16-6) appear to have lost their mojo during their NHL-mandated bye week. Calgary entered that on a season-high seven-game winning streak but has come out of it with back-to-back 2-1 home losses: in a shootout to Winnipeg on Saturday and in overtime to a terrible Buffalo side on Monday. Smith was the tough-luck loser in net both times. Smith has allowed just nine goals over his past six starts and still hasn’t lost in regulation since Dec. 29 in Anaheim.
Winger Matthew Tkachuk continued his hot streak with the lone goal vs. the Sabres, coming on the power play. Tkachuk has six goals and 10 total points over his past nine outings and is third on the team in scoring with 32 points. Gaudreau had his 40th assist Monday and is among league leaders in that category; his career high is 48. Calgary closes the first half of the season Thursday in Edmonton.
Kings vs. Flames Prediction
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