Flames minus $2.15 at Ducks
Cashed a nice mid-size free pick underdog winner with the Senators against the Penguins on Monday. But today I’m going the big chalk route laying the road price with Calgary against Anaheim.
Normally I wouldn’t recommend laying this high of a number. This matchup is an exception. The Flames check all the boxes. Not only are the Flames superior to the Ducks in every facet – offensive, defense and special teams – but they have tremendous motivation.
Just 11 days ago, the Ducks stunned the heavily home favored Flames, 3-1. It’s not just rapid revenge here, though. The Flames were humiliated, 8-2, by the Kings last night. They were never in the game, falling behind, 4-0 after the first period.
It’s probably the best thing for the Flames to immediately play again to make amends off that stinker. It’s must-win time, too, for Calgary, four points out of a playoff spot with 11 games remaining on its schedule. The rebuilding Ducks already have been eliminated from the playoffs for the fifth season in a row. It’s just a short drive from Los Angeles to Anaheim so fatigue shouldn’t factor.
The Flames have a much tougher game on deck, a road matchup against the Golden Knights on Thursday. So Calgary should be putting everything into this game.
Nothing is a sure thing as anybody who played Purdue on the money line at 45-1 against Fairleigh Dickinson well knows. But this sure feels right to lay a little more than 2-1 to back the Flames. Road favorites of minus $1.75 or higher have won 72 percent of the time this season in 327 instances.
There are other options, too, to get involved with Calgary without laying this high juice. Taking them to win just in regulation is one way. Another is backing the Flames to outscore the Ducks in the first period. You have to believe the Flames will come out fired up right from the start.
I am 105-79 on my last 184 premium/free NBA plays, 15-6 on my last 21 premium/free college basketball plays and having a winning hockey season. You can find my plays, packages and records here: https://pregame.com/pros/stephen-nover.
Best of luck and no bad beats!