In one of the better games of Monday, the Calgary Flames are on the road facing off with the Los Angeles Kings. This game will continue our NHL odds series with a Flames-Kings prediction and pick while we tell you how to watch.
The Flames sit just four points out of the wild card in the Western Conference. A win Monday would bring them within one game of the second wild-card spot. Calgary would not be chasing the wild card if they were able to pull out more overtime victories, though. Their 15 overtime losses lead the league. 11 of those 15 losses came on the road and being in Los Angeles Monday, the Flames will not want this game to go any longer than 60 minutes.
The Kings are in second place in the Pacific Division. A win on Monday would put Los Angeles in a tie atop the Pacific Division with the Las Vegas Knights. The Kings are led by Kevin Fiala who is tied for 19th in all of hockey in assists. Adrian Kempe has taken the most shots on the team and leads the Kings in goals with 32. Phoenix Copley will be in goal for the game and allows only 2.63 goals per game. He is the clear option for Los Angeles with a record of 21-4-3 in net.
The Flames and Kings have met twice already this season. The Flames won back in November in Calgary while the Kings won at home in December. Both games have been decided by a single goal, and this one should not be much different.
Here are the Flames-Kings NHL odds, courtesy of FanDuel
NHL Odds: Flames-Kings Odds
Calgary Flames: +1.5 (-255)
Los Angeles Kings: -1.5 (+205)
Over: 6.5 (+104)
Under: 6.5 (-128)
How To Watch Flames vs. Kings
TV: Bally Sports West, SportsNet Canada
Stream: ESPN+
Time: 10:30 PMET/ 7:30 PM PT
*Watch NHL games LIVE with fuboTV (click for a free trial)*
Why The Flames Could Cover The Spread
Calgary is not afraid of letting it rip on the offensive. As a team, the Flames rank second in shots per game with 35.6. The problem is they do not seem to be taking good shots. The Flames are second worst when it comes to shooting percentage as they convert just 8.7 percent of their shots into goals. When Calgary is more selective with their shots, they seem to play a little bit better. They have taken less than 35 shots in 28 games this season, and they have a record of 13-8-7. 15 losses, I know, but those seven overtime losses could go either way, and the Flames know that. Similarly, Calgary has taken less than 30 shots just 12 times this year, but they have a record of 7-3-2 when doing so.
The Flames do not need to take less than 30 shots to win this game, but they will need to be more selective with their shot-taking. The Flames also have the seventh-best penalty kill in the NHL. They can be a little more aggressive on defense knowing that they have the ability to kill the power play just over 82 percent of the time. Aggressive defense and a patient offense are going to be key in this one. Phoenix Copley will not let a lot of goals in, but if the Flames create the right chances, they will keep themselves in this game.
Why The Kings Could Cover The Spread
The Kings will rely on Phoenix Copley Monday night. Copley gives up under three goals per game, but the Flames are constantly firing shots at the net. Copley has given up more than three goals just seven times in his 28 games this season. If he can keep the Flames to three goals or less, the Kings will be tied for the division lead after this game. When giving up three goals or less this season, Los Angeles has a record of 34-1-6. That record drops to 6-19-4 when there are four or more goals given up. Copley will have his work cut out for him, and the Kings need him locked in all game.
The Kings also take their shots. They are 10th in the NHL with 32.59 shots per game. They are also one of the better teams on the power play. If Los Angeles can frustrate the Flames and draw a few more penalties, they will come away with some power-play goals. The Flames are very good at the penalty kill, but if a team is in the penalty box for 10 minutes a game, it becomes pretty hard to win.
Making sure the Flames do not have open looks on the net, and frustrating their players is going to be important if the Kings want to win this one.
Final Flames-Kings Prediction & Pick
The spread on this one can go either way. When it comes down to it, the Flames are just 28-42 against the spread while the Kings are 37-33. I will take the Kings on home ice to pull this one out and get the win. In the previous two games, the teams scored a total of 11 and seven goals as well, which means the over offers value.
Final Flames-Kings Prediction & Pick: Kings -1.5 (+205), Over 6.5 (+104)
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