NHL Odds: Anaheim Looks To Keep Conference Lead Against Calgary

The two divisions in the Eastern Conferences have races going that look as though they are going to go down to the wire. The same cannot be said out West, where Nashville and Anaheim are beginning to put some distance between themselves and the other teams in their respective divisions, and online NHL odds  are taking notice. Date: Friday, February 20th, 2015 Time: 9:00PM Venue: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta Spread: Anaheim -108

NHL Odds Analysis and Game Preview

The Anaheim Ducks are very much as advertised, and have opened up a 9-point lead atop the Pacific Division. The race below them is amazing, though, as the second place Calgary Flames are just 2 points ahead of the 5th place San Jose Sharks. A sign of just how dominant the Ducks have been this year can be seen in the fact that they still have a large lead despite losing 5 of their last 6 games. While other teams may start to hit the panic button with a run like that, the general consensus among hockey types is that this is just one of those blips that every team faces during a long season. What is sure to be a little concerning at the moment is the rate at which this team is bleeding goals. The Ducks have given up 22 goals in those 5 losses, and now have to face a Calgary team that is in the top 10 in scoring.

The Flames are a tough team to figure out, especially if you try to do so by looking at individual stats. They don’t have a player in the top 5 of any of the major individual stats, other than Mark Giordano, who is the top scoring defenseman in the league right now. They are definitely embracing a team concept, and seem to have a different player rise up on any given night. Johnny Gaudreau may lead the charge one game, while Jonas Hiller stands on his head between the pipes in the next one. This is also a team that doesn’t seem to know when it’s beat, often coming from behind to win late. The “Cardiac Kids” label that they have been given is one that is very much earned.

Key Betting Trends

Tampa Bay is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 7 games Calgary is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games Calgary is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

What Should You Bet On?

The Ducks are going to break out of this slump at some point, but I’m not sure that this will be the game where it happens. The Flames have a ton of guys that can find the net, and that is not good for a Ducks team that seems unable to stop their opponents right now. I like the Flames to win this one in a high-scoring affair.