The Calgary Flames have compiled the best record in the Western Convention through their initial 78 games. With first place all but locked up, the Flames will want to figure out a way to stay motivated and finish the year strong regardless of their attention already being turned into the postseason.Calgary is back in action on Monday night when they visit the Los Angeles Kings, who are among the worst clubs in the NHL. The Flames, which is coming from a showdown with the San Jose Sharks the night before, so it is possible the Kings may make the most of tired, traveling legs. Let’s take a closer look Flames vs Kings Betting Diagnosis The Flames entered Sunday’s game against the Sharks with a 22-14-0 record on the road so far this year. Calgary is 5-1 in its last six games as a road favorite when recorded between -150 and -200 odds. They’re also 9-3 in their last 12 road games against teams with a losing record on home ice.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles is currently 16-20-2 on home ice this season. Home-ice edge has not been much of one this season as they are 4-9 in their last 13 games at the Staples Center. LA is also 1-5 in its last six against teams with a winning percentage of .600 or higher and 5-19 in their last 24 games as a home underdog when listed between +150 and +200 odds.
Calgary Flames
The Kings have largely been terrible down the stretch of the year. They have only six wins in their last 24 games but strangely enough, one of these wins came in Calgary (3-0).
The Flames are playing well as the playoffs approach as they were seventh in goals allowed per game in the month of March (2.43), and it is a excellent amount for them. They are at 2.72 on the season, so seeing them tighten up as the playoffs approach is a great sign. In terms of their offense, its long been among the better units this season, averaging 3.53 goals per match (fourth-best).
On Monday, they will probably face Jonathan Quick, that has been lousy this year. Quick includes a pathetic 3.73 GAA and an .873 save percentage because the All-Star break. Calgary should be in a position to exploit that matchup if he’s between the pipes.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings have struggled to score goals all year and it won’t get any easier against a solid two-way group in the Flames. They are 30th in the league in goals per game (2.4) overall, even though they were 20th (2.64) in the month of March.
The Kings are a really top-heavy team headed by Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown up front. But beyond Kopitar and Brown they don’t have one forward that’s listed more than 33 points.
Motivation is a significant concern here since Los Angeles likely would not mind losing out in an effort to finish with the worst record in the NHL and get better chances of landing the first-overall choice in the NHL Draft lottery. At precisely the same time, the Flames may be tired and might not care much about this game themselves since their position is wrapped up, so making this game hard to handicap.
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