Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames Betting Preview 3/25/19

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The Scotiabank Saddledome plays host to an enticing matchup as the Los Angeles Kings travel north to take on the Calgary Flames. This Pacific Division matchup gets going at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, March 25, and it can be caught live on Sportsnet West.

Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames Odds

Los Angeles (+255) is entering this one as the underdog to Calgary (-310), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals (-120 under, +100 over).

Earning 11.3 units for moneyline bettors, the Flames are 47-28 straight up (SU) overall in the 2018-19 season. That win percentage, the NHL’s second-strongest so far in the early season, is a welcomed improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2017-18 season (37-45). Through 75 regular season outings, 38 of its games have gone over the total, while 33 have gone under and just four have pushed. Thus far, the team is 25-12 SU at home.

Calgary’s converted on 20.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.9 percent of all penalties.

Calgary, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.7 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over its past five outings total, and 3.4 per game over its last five home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 7.5 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.

With a .911 save percentage and 24.9 saves per game, David Rittich (27-15-5) has been the primary option in goal for the Flames this year. If the Flames choose to give him a breather, however, the team might turn to Mike Smith (22-16-16 record, .899 save percentage, 2.77 goals against average).

The Flames will continue to rely on offensive production from Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm. Gaudreau (92 points) is up to 35 goals and 57 assists and has recorded two or more points 25 times this year. Lindholm has 27 goals and 50 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 49 games.

Los Angeles has lost 17.9 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 27-47 straight up (SU). A total of 36 of its outings have gone under the total, while 35 have gone over and just three have pushed. Los Angeles’ 12-24 SU as the road team this season.

Los Angeles has converted on just 15.9 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the bottom-five overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully defended 75.0 percent of all penalties.

Los Angeles’ skaters have been called for penalties only 3.3 times per game this season, and 4.0 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

Jonathan Quick (3.25 goals against average and .891 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Los Angeles. Quick is averaging 26.0 saves per game and owns a 15-27-6 record.

For the visiting Kings, the offense will run through Anze Kopitar (21 goals, 32 assists) and Dustin Brown (20 goals, 25 assists).

Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames Betting Predictions

Free Pick: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Over

Betting Notes

  • The total has gone under in four of Calgary’s last five outings.
  • Los Angeles has managed 27.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Calgary is averaging 34.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
  • Power plays and penalty kills could be key in the outcome of this game. The Kings are 10-18 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 21-34 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total. The Flames are 25-9 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 33-21 when total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
  • Calgary is 0-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while Los Angeles is 3-3 in shootouts.
  • One of the best at creating pressure on their opponents, Calgary is ranked 4th in the NHL this season with 10.1 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended higher lately, as the team has created 12.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 16.2 takeaways over its last five.
  • Los Angeles has created 6.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, an improvement over its season average of 5.2 takeaways per game (ranked 31st in the NHL).
  • Calgary may hold an advantage if it’s a close one late. The team’s 16-14 in games decided by one goal, while Los Angeles is 13-16 in such games.