Kings vs Flames NHL Line & Handicapping
Flames Look to Remain Perfect Against Kings This Season
The Calgary Flames begin their post-Olympic stretch run on Thursday night when they host the Los Angeles Kings who played last night and snapped out of their recent scoring woes en route to a 6-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
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Los Angeles (32-22-2-4) at Calgary (22-29-4-3)
When: 9:30 PM ET, Thursday, February 27, 2014
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
Broadcast: FSN West (Los Angeles), TSN (Calgary)
Kings vs. Flames Betting Lines
Los Angeles Kings -1½ +230 -131 Ov 5 -110
Calgary Flames +1½ -275 +119 Un 5 +100
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The Kings and Flames entered the stretch drive on very different paths – the Flames won seven of nine games while the Kings were just 2-8-1 in their 11 games prior to the break. Calgary inexplicably has won both meetings between the clubs so far this year – both one goal games.
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The Los Angeles Kings had been looking very much like the Kings we have come to know – struggling to score goals and depending on Jonathan Quick to get them through games. In their eight games before the Olympic break the Kings scored a total of just eight goals! But last night they found the back of the net six times – the most offense they have seen since December 10.
The Kings still remain in the bottom third of NHL teams offensively – 2.32 goals per game. Kopitar who had two goals and an assist last night has eight points (four goals) in the past five games for Los Angeles, Jeff Carter has a goal and four assists during a three-game point streak, and forward Tyler Toffoli has one goal and three assists over the past three games. They represent the Hot Kings.
The win last night snapped a lot of slumps however and hope in LA are that their output is a sign of things to come as we race toward the playoffs.
Martin Jones was in goal last night meaning that Team USA keeper Jonathan Quick should get the call against Calgary.
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The Flames had been playing their best hockey of the season before the Olympics but that hasn’t stopped them from tinkering with the lineup just a bit – a pair if Finns are expected to make their NHL debuts Thursday. Goaltender Joni Ortio will bring a 20-6-0 and a 2.22 GAA to the Bigs and should be between the pipes while forward Markus Granlund who has 23 goals and 44 points in 50 games in Abbotsford will be in the lineup to provide an offensive spark to a team that has predictably struggled to score.
As a team Calgary averages 2.29 goals per game – slightly lower than the Kings. Flames forward Matt Stajan has a goal and an assist in the past two games, and forward Joe Colborne has assists in back-to-back games and Dennis Wideman has five points in five games.
But the Not Hot list is quite a bit more substantial for Calgary. Juri Hudler has one point in four games, David Jones and Kris Russell have one point in five and Mike Cammalleri hasn’t hit the score sheet in four games.
As mentioned the Flames will try someone new between the pipes on Thursday – they really have nothing to lose. The team surrenders and average of 3.03 goals per game – not good at all.
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• Under is 17-4-5 in LA last 26 vs. Pacific.
• LA are 3-10 in their last 13 road games.
• LA are 3-9 in their last 12 overall.
• CAL are 3-10 in their last 13 Thu. games.
• CAL are 6-2 in their last 8 overall.
• Under is 13-5 in CAL last 18 home games.
• Under is 6-1-1 in the last 8 meetings in Calgary.
• Under is 16-4-1 in the last 21 meetings.
The Los Angeles Kings make the overnight trip from Colorado – the travel that the Olympians have endured is staggering! I think it catches up with the Kings and the Flames are able to keep their streak going against the LA. Exhaustion will be a factor as the home dog starts their post-Olympic stretch off in style.
Pick: Calgary Flames +119
