Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames Prediction, NHL Odds
Game 82 is here in what has been a fantastic NHL season, and a bit of a rollercoaster of a season for both the Kings and the Flames. Although the Kings have clinched a playoff spot, there is still plenty of potential movement in the Pacific Division depending on how the final game goes.
Los Angeles occupies the second wild card, but is tied with Anaheim in points and is one point behind Edmonton. They need some help, but there is a chance the Kings finish second in the Pacific if they get two points here.
Kings vs. Flames NHL Betting Odds
The Kings are the favourites on the NHL odds board, carrying -140 on the money line and +170 to cover a -1.5 puck line. The Flames are +115 to win outright and -210 to cover the +1.5 puck line. The game total is 6.0 with the over being -105 and the under being -115.
Tonight will be the fourth and final meeting between the Kings and Flames this season. Calgary has won two of the three played, most recently in late March. Calgary won by scores of 2-1 and 3-2, and Los Angeles won 2-0. This season, when the Kings and Flames face off, low totals and narrow wins have been common.
Los Angeles Kings
In order to finish in the Pacific’s top three, primarily to not have to face Colorado in the first round, Los Angeles needs a win against Calgary, an Edmonton regulation loss to Vancouver, and an Anaheim loss of any kind to Nashville. They will bring a strong effort to at least take care of business on their end.
The Kings enter this game in solid form. They are 5-0-1 in their last six games and 6-1-1 in their last eight. They are also 2-0-1 in their last three road games as part of a good 20-9-11 road record on the season. They will need every bit of that strong road play as the Flames have had the Kings’ number in Calgary over the last few seasons.
Calgary Flames
The Flames enter Thursday with one win in their last five games and two wins in their last eight. Despite some lows this season, the Flames have shown some good fight for spurts. They look to be just about out of fight at the finish line.
Calgary can play a bit of spoiler for Los Angeles and still maintain their great position in the draft lottery. Despite their fate being sealed, Calgary beat Utah this week and had narrow losses to Colorado twice and Dallas. The Flames should bring a good effort tonight.
NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Kings vs. Flames?
The Kings have not been a very reliable play this year, but they do seem to have hit their stride at the right time. Of their current 5-0-1 stretch, four wins have been in regulation, and they have points in 17 of their last 19 games. This team needed to collect points in a competitive playoff race down the stretch, and they played well at the right time to do just that.
The strong form of the Kings is complemented by their need for these two points to move into the Pacific’s top three. Los Angeles is the better team in this game and should play with added urgency to take the two points here. This has all the makings of a convincing 4-1 Kings win.
