NHL Hockey Betting: Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks

The NHL teams are back to work after the All Star game and in the second half of a ‘Hockey Night In Canada’ doubleheader the Calgary Flames will travel to Vancouver for a matchup against the hated Canucks. Calgary’s rivalry with Vancouver might not be as intense as the interprovincial hate feud with the Edmonton Oilers but there’s still no love lost between these two teams. More significantly, both teams need this win to solidify their place in the Pacific division standings. Since it’s very likely that the mighty Central Division will get both Western Conference Wildcard spots it’s crucial for both the Flames and Canucks to stay within range of the top three teams in the Pacific. Right now Vancouver is in fifth place, five points back of third place Anaheim for the final playoff spot. Calgary’s status is even more dire–they’re 3-6-1 in their last 10 games and are a full ten points back of the Ducks. In fact, the Flames have slipped into a last place tie with Edmonton–and considering that the Oilers have played the last two months without Connor McDavid that’s not a positive sign for Calgary.

The Flames have had trouble scoring goals in their most recent outings. They’ve lost four of five scoring a total of five goals in those losses. There is some good news in Calgary–the much maligned Flames’ goaltending has actually played well of late. Kari Ramo has started six straight and allowed more than two goals only once. The bad news is that the Flames lost six of those starts. In their last six losses Calgary has scored a total of 9 goals. No matter how well your goaltender is playing you can’t expect him to win giving him just 1.5 goals per game. Another big problem–the dismal Calgary special teams which rank #30 on the power play and #29 on the penalty kill.

This matchup just doesn’t bode well for the Flames. They’ll turn to Jonas Hiller in the second of a back to back series and he’s not looked good all year. The Canucks might not be a playoff team this season but they should have enough to beat the sputtering Flames.

BET VANCOUVER CANUCKS -130 OVER CALGARY FLAMES