Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames Prediction, NHL Odds
The Flames are sizeable favourites on the NHL odds with a total of six goals.
Kings vs. Flames NHL Betting Odds
Calgary is probably going to win the Pacific Division regardless as the Flames have a six-point lead over second-place Los Angeles, but a victory Thursday would go a long way toward clinching it (although the teams play again Monday in Los Angeles to wrap up the season series) and home-ice advantage through at least the first two rounds of the playoffs.
The Flames lead the series 1-0, winning 3-2 in Los Angeles on Dec. 2 so a victory here would clinch the series. Andrew Mangiapane and Milan Lucic both had power-play goals for Calgary, and Matthew Tkachuk also found the net for a 3-1 lead early in the third. Alex Iafallo and Alexander Edler scored for Los Angeles. Jacob Markstrom and Cal Petersen were the goalies. That was Darryl Sutter’s first game coaching against the Kings since leading them to Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014.
Calgary is 4-6 in the past 10 meetings. The under has hit in seven of those.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings lost their second straight game Wednesday, 4-3 in a shootout in Edmonton. That Los Angeles got it there was impressive after trailing 3-1 in the second period. Alexander Edler (second of season), Quinton Byfield (fifth) and Carl Grundstrom (eighth) had the LA goals. Jonathan Quick was beaten on both attempts in the shootout, but when you face Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, well, what can you expect?
LA remains without several key players due to injury, led by former Norris Trophy-winning defenceman Drew Doughty. Because it was Quick in net Wednesday, it should be Cal Petersen (18-11-1, 2.74 GAA, .900 SV) here. He has been very solid overall but was shelled for six goals in a loss Monday vs. Seattle. Los Angeles has won its past five in the second of a B2B.
Calgary Flames
The Flames probably weren’t catching the Colorado Avalanche for the most points in the Western Conference regardless but surely will not in the wake of a 2-1 home upset loss to the Avs on Tuesday. That hurts double because Colorado was without two of its star forwards in Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon. Jacob Markstrom did his job for the most part, with both goals allowed to Valeri Nichushkin on the power play. The winner came at 10:52 of the third.
The Flames have surrendered five power-play goals combined in their past two games. On the season, they rank fifth in the NHL on the penalty kill at 83.7 per cent. Tyler Toffoli’s 18th goal of the season had given Calgary a 1-0 lead at 9:31 of the first. The Flames are 7-2 in their past nine vs. the Pacific Division.
LA
CAL