Anaheim Ducks vs Calgary Flames Betting Picks

Anaheim has sprung some defensive leaks on a four-game losing streak. Look for the Ducks to be very defensive-minded here following a 6-2 home loss to the Blues last night, as their leading goal scorer and top points producer, Cutter Gauthier, is questionable with an upper-body injury. Gauthier, who is tied for 11th in the NHL in goals scored with 38, has missed the past two games. The Ducks draw the perfect opponent to get their defense turned around. Calgary has scored the fewest goals on the road, averaging just 2.1 per game. The Flames also have the second-least-efficient power-play unit. The two teams met on March 26, and only four goals were scored in regulation, with the Ducks winning 3-2 in overtime. The Ducks also nipped the Flames, 3-2, in a shootout in the game before that one on March 1. Both contests went UNDER. Take the UNDER.

Anaheim's offense ranks 11th in the NHL in goals per game (3.27). Anaheim is on a 19-7 run and has won three in a row (two on the road), netting 15 goals. Meanwhile, Calgary's offense is last in shooting percentage and scoring (2.48 goals per game), while its defense is 14th in goals allowed and 25th in shots on goal allowed. Calgary has lost the last three meetings with the Ducks, including a 3-2 loss earlier this month. Play Anaheim. 

Anaheim started the season strong and then went into a tailspin, but now the young Ducks team is getting its second wind as it has won six in a row while allowing only 10 goals in that span. The Ducks defeated Seattle 4-2 on Friday night as Cutter Gauthier had a goal and an assist and Lukas Dostal had 20 saves. Calgary has lost three in a row while scoring a total of three goals and the Flames have averaged only 1.8 goals in 10 games. The Flames have lost five of six home games and five of six overall after scoring two or fewer goals their previous game. Calgary is 3-8 its past 11 games and Dustin Wolf is expected in net and he has lost six of his past seven starts. Dostal is 18-12-2 for Anaheim this season. Take the Ducks.

Calgary has winning records both home and away. The defense is 15th in goals given up (2.90 per game) and 11th in save percentage (.905). The Flames are on a 7-4 run after a 3-2 victory at San Jose. Anaheim is getting outscored by 34 goals, the fourth-worst differential in the Western Conference. The offense is 26th in goals scored, last on the power play, and 27th in shooting percentage. The defense is 29th in penalty killing and 22nd in goals allowed (3.16 per game). They're on a 9-13 slide, including a 4-1 loss to Calgary three games ago. Play Calgary.