The Honda Center plays host to a Pacific Division matchup as the Calgary Flames travel to Anaheim to face the Ducks. Sportsnet West will broadcast the game, and the opening face-off takes place at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, December 29.
Calgary Flames vs. Anaheim Ducks Odds
Calgary is 18-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.0 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 37 regular season outings, 19 of its games have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just one has pushed. As an away team in 2017-18, the Flames are 9-8 SU.
Calgary has converted on 17.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 26th out of 31 teams, and it’s successfully killed off only 77.3 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, Calgary has been sent to the penalty box 3.9 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 4.8 per game over its last five contests. The team’s been forced to kill penalties 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 28.2 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Mike Smith (15-16-3) has been the top option in goal for Calgary this year. If it chooses to rest him, however, head coach Glen Gulutzan may turn to David Rittich (3-2-1 record, .924 save percentage, 2.04 goals against average).
The visiting Flames will be led by Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Gaudreau (41 points) has tallied 13 goals and 28 assists, and has recorded multiple points 12 times. Monahan has 17 goals and 15 assists to his name, and has logged at least one point in 21 games.
On the other bench, Anaheim is 16-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 38 regular season contests, 24 of its games have gone under the total, while 13 have gone over and just one has pushed. This season, the team is 8-11 SU at home.
Anaheim has converted on 17.3 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked seventh overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all penalties.
Anaheim players have been sent to the penalty box 4.5 times per game in total this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
John Gibson (30.6 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Anaheim. Gibson has 11 wins, 18 losses, and five OT losses and has maintained a .921 save percentage and 2.78 goals against average this year.
Rickard Rakell (11 goals, 14 assists) will lead the attack for the Ducks.
Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Flames, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
The under has hit in three of Anaheim’s last five outings.
The Ducks are 2-7 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 9-11 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
Calgary is 2-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Anaheim is 2-4 in shootouts.
Anaheim is ranked 22nd overall with 6.5 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher lately, as it has created 7.0 takeaways over its last 10 games and 8.4 takeaways over its last five.
Calgary has averaged 6.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.6 takeaways per game (ranked seventh).
