NHL Hockey Betting: San Jose Sharks at Calgary Flames

The parity in the NHL is borderline ridiculous and particularly in the Pacific Division. That’s the subtext for tonight’s game between the San Jose Sharks and Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Sharks are tied for second place in the Pacific Division with the Vancouver Canucks. The Calgary Flames have the worst record in the NHL–10-14-2 for 22 points. Here’s the punchline–the teams are just six points apart. You could even make the case that the teams are heading in different directions. The Flames have won two straight and are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. The Sharks are 6-4-0 in their last ten games but have lost three straight with a 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay in their last action Saturday night. The teams played on November 28 in California with the Sharks winning 5-2.

The strange saga of Karri Ramo continues as he’ll start in goal tonight. Ramo has at various points this season been a starter, a backup, and on his way out of the franchise after being waived and sent to Stockton of the AHL. Really, the entire goaltending situation in Calgary is strange. Jonas Hiller started the season as the #1 goalie, fell out of favor, got injured and is now back with the team in a backup role. He hasn’t started a game since October 28. Joni Ortio served as Ramo’s backup during Hiller’s injury and was at one point tabbed as a future franchise goalie. He underachieved and is now back with the aforementioned Stockton Heat in the AHL.

No questions about goaltending in San Jose where former Los Angeles Kings’ backup Martin Jones is ‘the man’ in the Sharks’ net. His backup is Alex Stalock who has started only five games this season. Jones started the season in ridiculous form and although he’s cooled off somewhat he has very solid numbers with a 2.17 goals against average and a 0.923 save percentage.

Calgary is the worst defensive team in the NHL and that’s where this game will be won or lost. San Jose is ‘middle of the pack’ but Jones is better than any of the Flames’ three goaltenders. At a ‘pick’em’ price we’ll go with the better goaltending.

BET SAN JOSE SHARKS -110 OVER CALGARY FLAMES