The Calgary Flames find themselves needing an excellent finish to the season to make the Stanley Cup playoffs. On the other hand, the Anaheim Ducks have been awful and are one of the worst teams in the NHL in 2022-23.
However, this game is not as much of a lock as the odds make it appear; Calgary has struggled this season against the lower-ranked teams in the NHL, often playing down to the competition, losing to the likes of the Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets.
This season, the Flames and Ducks have only met once so far, with Friday night’s matchup being the second of four matchups this season. The Flames won the first matchup 3-2 in overtime on December 23rd, 2022. Take a look to our Anaheim Ducks vs Calgary Flames Picks before watch this exciting NHL Matchup.
Anaheim Ducks vs Calgary Flames Info & Outlook
- Anaheim Ducks (21-35-9) vs. Calgary Flames (29-23-13)
- The Ducks lost 3-2 in overtime to the Vancouver Canucks in their last game on March 8th. The Flames won their last game 1-0 in a shootout over the Minnesota Wild on March 7th.
- Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- Puck Drop: 9:00 PM ET; Watch: NHLPP | ESPN+, Sportsnet West, Bally Sports So-Cal
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Anaheim Ducks vs Calgary Flames Betting Preview
Anaheim Ducks Preview
The Anaheim Ducks enter Friday night with a 21-35-9 record, ranked seventh in the Pacific Division. The Ducks have lost three of the last five games and have a 4-6 straight-up record in the last ten games.
- The Anaheim Ducks are 0-5 in the last five games against the Pacific Division
- The under is 5-1-1 in the Ducks’ last seven games.
- The Ducks are 1-4 in the last five games in Calgary.
- The under is 6-0-2 in the Ducks’ last eight games against a team with a losing record.
Offensively, Anaheim is one of the worst teams in the NHL, and it’s almost laughable how bad the Ducks have been in 2022-23. The Ducks are ranked 31st in the NHL, averaging 2.5 goals per game, while having the 30th-ranked powerplay, converting at 16.0%.
Defensively, the story doesn’t get better for the Ducks, who are ranked 32nd and last in the NHL, giving up 4.0 goals per game while having the 30th-tanked penalty kill, operating at 73.4%.
We expect John Gibson to get the start for the Ducks. Formerly highly touted, Gibson is having a difficult season with the struggling Ducks, posting a 13-24-7 record, 3.89 GAA, and a .902 SV%.
For the Anaheim Ducks to win this game, they need to score an early goal against the Flames, likely starting goalie Jacob Markstrom. Calgary tends to give up an early goal and struggles to overcome the early deficit.
The Ducks need an early goal to put Calgary on the back foot and win as huge underdogs.
Calgary Flames Preview
The Calgary Flames enter Friday night in the middle of the Western Conference Wild Card chase, ranked fifth in the Pacific Division with a 29-23-13 record. Calgary has won two straight games but has lost three of the last five games and has a 4-6 straight-up record in the last ten games.
- The Calgary Flames are 4-0 in the last four games against the Ducks.
- The Flames have a 2-3 over/under record in the last five games.
- The Flames are 0-4 in the last four home games.
- The Flames are 1-5 in the last six games following a win.
Offensively, the Calgary Flames take a lot of shots -ranked second in the NHL and averaged 35.4 shots per game- but don’t convert those shots into high-quality scoring chances or finishes. The Flames are ranked 20th in the NHL, averaging 3.0 goals per game while having the 23rd-ranked powerplay, converting at 19.0%
Defensively, the Flames are a significantly better team, but the squad’s goaltending has let them down. The Flames give up the second-fewest shots in the NHL (27.4 shots per game) but are ranked 14th and giving up 3.0 goals per game while having the 12th-ranked penalty-killing unit, operating at 81.3%.
We expect Jacob Markstrom to get the start for the Flames. Markstrom has looked more focused and calm in the net recently and seems to be regaining his Vezina finalist form at the right time for Calgary. Markstrom has a 17-17-8 record, a 2.89 GAA, and a .893 SV%.
Calgary needs its goaltending to shine in order to win this game. The Flames were built around great goaltending, which is something they have not received from Jacob Markstrom this season.
For the Flames to win, they need great goaltending and to avoid giving up an early goal: the Flames are a better hockey team when not playing from behind because they don’t have the finishing talent to get into a high-scoring shootout and win.
Top Sportsbooks Odds
Betonline: Flames -370
Bovada: Flames -420
MyBookie: Flames -370
BetUS: Flames -400
BetNow: Flames -375
Anaheim Ducks vs Calgary Flames Odds & Picks
Odds for this Matchup:
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line Spread | Total Goals |
| Anaheim Ducks | +320 | +1.5: +135 | Over 6.0: -120 |
| Calgary Flames | -400 | -1.5: -155 | Under 6.0: Even |
Recommended Pick:
There is no value in taking the Calgary Flames on the moneyline, even though the Flames should and need to win this game to keep pace in the chase for the final playoff spots.
If you are taking the Flames on the moneyline, you should parlay that pick with the Anaheim Ducks to cover the spread, as Calgary has a tendency to play in one-goal games.
Take the under on the total goals line, as both teams aren’t offensively gifted and hit the under in their first matchup this season.
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