It’s the Daryl Sutter game as he takes his new team against his old team when the Calgary Flames visit the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
Sutter previously led the Kings (9-8-4) to a pair of Stanley Cups with the hard-nosed defensive style the Flames (13-4-5) are currently playing. To no surprise, Calgary is the favorite on the NHL betting lines.
The Flames lead the NHL in defense and have allowed the fewest goals and are in the top five in most other defensive metrics. The Kings aren’t so shabby themselves and are a top-10 team in these categories … but they are quite bad in one important area at home.
NHL Odds Preview
Calgary Flames at Los Angeles Kings
- Puckline: Calgary -1½ (+170), Los Angeles +1½ (-200)
- Moneyline: Calgary -140, Los Angeles +120
- Total: Over 5 (-130), Under 5 (+110)
Team Previews
Flames: Road Conquerors
After getting surprised by the Winnipeg Jets, the Flames went right back to business and shut down the Pittsburgh Penguins, though they needed a shootout to get the extra point. Calgary returns to the road where it is 9-2-2 and a whopping 10-3 on the puck line.
Calgary is utterly dominant on the road, leading the NHL in both goals scored (3.5) and goals allowed (1.7) and it’s doing it against some of the best teams: Washington, Boston and the New York Rangers. Star winger Johnny Gaudreau has put up 16 points in the 13 games while Andrew Mangiapane has 14 of his 15 goals here. What?
We outlined how the Flames are mediocre in the “Sad-dledome” but it may be more of Calgary being superhuman on the road. Their stats do not seem sustainable, however. But good luck betting online against these road conquerors.
Kings: Quick, Make a Save!
The Kings may be entering this game in a foul mood after their arch-nemesis, the Anaheim Ducks, held on to beat them in a shootout. Los Angeles had Anaheim dead to rights but couldn’t finish the job. They will need all the pent-up frustration they can muster as they take on their old bench boss’ big, rugged squad.
A quick look at their analytics and it’s a surprise that the Kings are still in playoff contention. This team is below average in special teams, scoring chance shares and high-danger shooting percent. Of course, the team is flat at 100 on the PDO because they have a positive corsi and still generate more chances than they give up.
But it’s mostly on goaltender Jonathan Quick, who has seemingly turned back time and is playing like a Vezina Trophy contender. As long as he can stay solid in net, he’ll make up for Los Angeles’ chronic misplays.
Jonathan Quick is once again bailing the Kings out with some incredible saves.#GoKingsGo
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) December 1, 2021
Betting Pick
The Flames could just skate into the Staples Center and beat up on the Kings. They are the bigger and more dominant team, especially considering the disparity in their stats. Calgary has the best offense and defense on the road and the Kings are giving up the most goals at home.
Los Angeles’ best shot of an upset here is to have Quick stand on his head while the Kings’ skaters do just enough to beat Jacob Markstrom. That’s hard to buy so bet Calgary or pass.
Pick: Calgary Flames -140
Bonus Pick
The under is juiced for good reason: These teams have great defenses and even better netminding when they try. However, Los Angeles is generously allowing goals at home and Calgary is nuclear on the road. Four of the Kings’ last five home games have gone over for a reason. Bet the over at plus-odds from the BetUS sportsbook.
