Calgary Flames versus Los Angeles Kings NHL betting preview
Time: 10:35 PM
Venue: Staples Center, Los Angeles
NHL betting odds for fans who bet on hockey:
Flames +1½ (-255) 5 (-115) +115
Kings -1½ (+215) 5 (-105) -135
Calgary
Previous game: The Flames lost their 25th regular season in a row at the Honda Center on Tuesday, a 1-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Goaltender Chad Johnson had his third start in the past 18 games, but had to be pulled out with an injury following his first save with an outstretched left pad at 4:53 of the first period. Brian Elliott took his place and made 16 saves on 19 shots. Mikael Backlund scored a career-best 22nd goal after scoring 21 last season. Kris Versteeg had an assist and has seven points in the last six games.
Recent form: Calgary has dropped three of the last four games, including the last two straight. Additionally, they have lost six of the last eight against the Kings. The Flames secured a playoff spot on Friday and holds the first wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference.
News: Goalkeeper Jon Gillies is expected to make his league debut tonight against the Kings. Gillies was first recalled in March when Elliot came down with the flu, but he was ultimately not used. Now, with Johnson’s injury, it seems as if Gillies will finally take to the ice as a NHL pro. “If I was a betting guy, I’d say Jon will go one of these two games here,” head coach Glen Gulutzan said. Thanks for the shout-out, Glen!
Trends for fans who bet on hockey: The Flames have covered the spread in 10 of their last 14 road games. The NHL betting total has gone under in four of Calgary’s last six games on the road and in six of Calgary’s last nine games when playing against the Los Angeles Kings.
Los Angeles
Previous game: The Kings may be eliminated from playoff contention but they can still be a nuisance to teams like the Oilers, whom they beat 6-4 on Tuesday. Nick Shore had a goal and three assists. Dustin Brown, Nic Dowd, Trevor Lewis, Tanner Pearson, and Drew Doughty each scored one goal. Jonathan Quick made 23 saves. This was the Kings’ 11th straight win against the Oilers at the Staples Center.
Recent form: Los Angeles has lost three of their last six games but has won four of the last five home games against the Flames.
News: The silver lining for the Kings is that they may have found the heir apparent to Quick in “goalie of the future” Jack Campbell – who has had an NHL-worthy season with the Ontario Reign of the AHL.
Trends for fans who bet on hockey: The Kings have covered the spread in four of the last five games but only in 7 of the last 17 at home. The NHL betting total has gone under in four of Los Angeles’s last five games when playing at home against the Calgary Flames.