Posted on
3/25/2008 3:27:17 PM
NHL Sports Betting Free Pick - Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames
By Robby Maddux
Vancouver Canucks (38-27-10) vs. Calgary Flames (39-27-10)
Tonight's matchup between the Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames at the Pengrowth Saddledome promises to deliver great NHL betting action, as both clubs attempt to gain ground in the Northwest.
BetUS NHL odds lists Calgary the -115 money-line favorites and -1½ +220 on the spread with a game total of 5 over -115.
Based on $100 wagers, the Flames have dropped $1,465 this season against the spread at 31-45. Vancouver has been stronger in beating the spread with a 39-36 mark, reeling in $1,000 which is fourth-best in the league.
The Canucks have won six of their last nine games, but were unable to claim their fourth consecutive victory overall on Friday, losing 2-1 to Northwest-leading Minnesota Wild.
Vancouver sits third in the division with 86 points - two points behind Calgary. They are tied with the Colorado Avalanche for seventh in the Western Conference.
Vancouver holds a 4-1-0 edge over the Flames this year despite a 2-1 loss at Calgary on Dec. 31 in the teams’ most recent meeting. Net keeper Roberto Luongo has started all five games against the Flames, posting a 2.18 GAA.
Key NHL wagering trends:
- Canucks are 4-10 in their last 14 vs. Northwest.
- Canucks are 1-4 in their last 5 Tuesday games.
- Canucks are 0-4 in their last 4 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff hasn’t been as good as Luongo, going 1-3-1 with a 3.51 GAA versus the Canucks. Kiprusoff, who is 3-2-0 with a 2.47 GAA in his last five overall starts, stopped 22-of-24 shots before he was replaced by Curtis Joseph in Calgary’s 2-0 loss at Colorado on Monday.
Calgary is sixth in the West and has six games remaining to clinch its fourth consecutive playoff berth. The Flames last won the Northwest in 2005-06. They are one point behind Minnesota in the division.
The Flames have won three straight at Pengrowth Saddledome, their longest streak there since a four-game run from Feb. 17-28, 2007.
Kiprusoff, who won an NHL-leading 28 games at home last season, is 6-0-2 with two shutouts and a 1.73 GAA in his last eight starts in Calgary.
If Kiprusoff doesn't get the start tonight, Curtis Joseph will be between the pipes. Joseph hasn’t faced Vancouver in 2008, but is 15-22-0 with four ties, a shutout and a 3.37 GAA in 43 career appearances.
- Flames are 7-2 in their last 9 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Flames are 5-2 in their last 7 Tuesday games.
- Flames are 6-1 in their last 7 games playing on 0 days rest.
- Flames are 4-1 in their last 5 home games.
Analysis: The Canucks are 15-6-2 in the last 23 meetings against the Flames in games played in Calgary, and Vancouver has won four of the last five overall meetings. This should be a low-scoring affair with the advantage going to the visitors.
NHL Free Picks: Vancouver Canucks -105 and Under 5.
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