Ducks vs Flames Hockey Betting?
The Anaheim Ducks head out on the road Wednesday night to takes on a surprisingly good Calgary Flames team – the same Calgary squad that beat the Ducks 7-2 at home two weeks ago.
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Anaheim (46-18-1-6) at Calgary (30-35-4-3)
When: 10:00 PM ET, Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
Broadcast: TSN, FS-W
Ducks vs. Flames Betting Lines
Anaheim Ducks -1½ +185 -146 Ov 5½ +107
Calgary Flames +1½ -215 +133 Un 5½ -118
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Formidable Flames Host Dwindling Ducks Wednesday Night
Calgary has gone 6-4-0 in their last 10 games overall and are coming off an impressive 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks while the Ducks destroyed the Panthers last time out after losing six of their previous eight games.
Anaheim is still very much in the President`s Trophy race and will be motivated to finish strong as will the Calgary Flames whose recent surge has instilled a ton of pride and optimism in the team.
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The Anaheim Ducks scored six against Florida on Sunday – a nice breakout for a team that looked to be fading – similar to the way they ended the 2013 season. Anaheim still boasts one of the best offensive rosters in the NHL (3.18 goals per game) and are much better than their recent record suggests.
Teemu Selanne has two goals and four points in his past four games, Ryan Getzlaf has six points in his past three games and eight in his past five, while linemate Corey Perry has six points (two goals, four assists) in his past five and Kyle Palmieri has four points in his last four games. Offense shouldn`t be a problem for Anaheim at any stretch of the season – they are deep, they are talented and now they are motivated to recapture top spot in the West.
Goaltending has been a bit of an issue for the Ducks as of late – Jonas Hiller is just 2-2-1 in his last five starts with a 3.29 GAA and .883 GAA. Special teams has also been a problem – the Ducks’ opponents score on 9 of 23 power play chances against the Ducks before the Islanders went 0-for-1 Sunday and the power play was mired in a 2-for-47 slump before busting out Sunday with two goals on five chances.
The Anaheim team we saw Sunday is more like the one we can likely expect Wednesday – with the slumps out of their system, the Ducks are all saying the right things as they race toward top spot in the West and race to avoid a possible first round playoff matchup with the Kings.
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The Calgary Flames have really turned thing around and a good part of their success has to do with their recent play at the Saddledome where they have won 10 of 13 games including one over the Ducks and one over the Sharks. Calgary is suddenly playing like a team on the cusp of a playoff berth although their hopes were dashed out of the gate this season.
Offensively the Flames remain middle-of-the-pack although they have been getting some stellar performances from a host of players lately. Mike Cammalleri had a three-goal and seven-game point-scoring streak snapped Monday and Mikael Backlund also had a streak snapped Monday – his was a four games.
Curtis Glencross has four points in three games, Mark Giordano has four points in three games and Tyler Wotherspoon and TJ Brodie each have two points in their last two games.
The Flames have also picked up the intensity defensively. Goalie Karri Ramo made 33 saves Monday and has allowed three goals in his past three starts. He should get the start Wednesday and should provide a good test for the Ducks.
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• ANA are 13-4 in their last 17 road games.
• ANA are 16-5 in their last 21 vs. Pacific.
• Under is 9-4 in ANA last 13 vs. Western Conference.
• Under is 13-3-2 in CAL last 18 vs. Pacific.
• CAL are 10-3 in their last 13 home games.
• Under is 17-8-1 in CAL last 26 home games.
• Home team is 47-12-4 in the last 63 meetings.
• ANA are 10-4 in the last 14 meetings.
The Anaheim Ducks have used up all of their mulligans – its business time for a team that was tops in the NHL for a good part of the season. The Flames are what they are – a blue-collar squad that is a bit of a nightmare to play against but there is absolutely no way they can match up with the talent the Ducks trot out there each and every night. With the memory of a 7-2 loss at the hands of the Flames fresh in their minds, the Ducks rise to the occasion and avenge what was a humiliating night.
Pick: Anaheim Ducks -146
