NHL Free Pick: Colorado Avalanche vs Calgary Flames
Hockey betting fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nhl picks we give out here at Capperspicks.com.
Team records:
Colorado: 25-15-6
Calgary: 26-14-5
Tonight, 10:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook odds: Avalanche +145, Flames -165
Who could’ve imagined that an Avs/Flames contest in mid-January would be a key divisional battle? Colorado just won’t go away. While the Avalanche aren’t sizzling-hot anymore, they still mix in big wins with every loss. Last week, they took down the mighty Sabres on the road. Four different Colorado players have 13 or more goals this season and first-round pick Matt Duchene continues to blossom. Watch out for him tonight, as 12 of his 13 goals come on the road.
The Flames are playing good but not great hockey to start 2010, winning three of five, and they have to hope they’re at their best for the rest of the month. Calgary’s tough January still has Colorado, Pittsburgh, San Jose and Chicago ahead on the schedule.
Though they’re not filling the net the way they did last season, they’re getting enough offense from Jarome Iginla and Rene Bourque to support Miikka Kiprusoff. It seems every time we check in with Kipper, his numbers have improved; he now has a 2.16 goals against average and phenomenal .930 save percentage on the year. So much for being over the hill.
Bettors are likely tempted to pick Colorado, as the Avs are 3-0 against the Flames this season. But a big reason why Colorado handled Calgary was Craig Anderson’s stellar play in goal. He’s been human of late, posting a goals against average above 3.00 in November and December and a pedestrian 2.61 mark this month. I like the Flames to exact some revenge.
NHL Betting Trends:
Colorado is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Colorado’s last 9 games when playing on the road against Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Colorado’s last 8 games when playing Calgary
Colorado is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Calgary’s last 9 games when playing at home against Colorado
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Calgary’s last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Calgary’s last 8 games
Calgary is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
Pick: Flames -165
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BODOG.COM’S NHL HOCKEY BETTING LINES FOR TONIGHTS MATCHUPS!!!!
Shea Matthews lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national newspapers. He now applies his knowledge to sports betting and handicapping every day, and shares his winning picks with the world.
