Calgary Flames at Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview/Prop Picks

There are some big NHL games on the schedule for Monday night, but none bigger than the game set to take place in Los Angeles. The Kings will host the Calgary Flames in a matchup of the two best teams in the Pacific Division.

Calgary comes into Monday night with 89 points on the year, and that has them in the first place of the Pacific. The Flames are currently on a three-game losing streak, though, and they are in for a tough test in this game.

Los Angeles has won two straight games, and they are now within three points of the Flames in the standings. The Kings have been one of the biggest surprises in the NHL this season, and they can put even more pressure on the Flames with a win. 

The Calgary Flames are the betting favorites in this game over the Los Angeles Kings at -181 on the moneyline. 

Flames On Fire On Offense

The Calgary Flames have talent, but no one could have predicted that they would have been one of the best offensive teams in the league. Calgary is averaging 3.5 goals per game this season and have scored on the power play 24 percent of the time.

Johnny Gaudreau is once again the offensive star for the Flames, but he has some help this season. Gaudreau leads the team with 60 assists and 92 points, and it's Elias Lindholm that has scored a team-high 34 goals. 

Jacob Markstrom has helped the Flames hold opponents to just 2.5 goals per game, but that defense has struggled of late. Calgary just gave up six goals to the St. Louis Blues in their most recent loss, and they have to be better on that end of the ice. 

Kings Controlling the Pace

The Los Angeles Kings are scoring just 2.8 goals per game this season, but they are holding opponents to 2.75 a night. Los Angeles wants to slow the pace way down, and that strategy has worked well for them throughout the regular season.

Special teams' play has not been great for the Kings, but it hasn't been costing them games. Los Angeles is scoring on the power play just 17 percent of the time and has killed off just 77 percent of their penalties. 

The Kings will have to score some goals to win this game, and Anze Kopitar leads the way on offense. Kopitar has 41 assists and 59 points for the Kings, and his play will be a key in this matchup. 

L.A. Inches Closer to First

There is a great chance that these two teams will meet up again in the postseason, and this should be a terrific preview. Calgary has been the better team all season long, but they just aren't playing their best hockey at this time.

The Flames are still scoring goals at a good clip, but they just haven't been there defensively. Los Angeles does not have the ability to outscore Calgary, but they have a method and system that works for them. 

Playing at home will give the Kings a boost, and they will get a clutch goal when needed. Bet the Los Angeles Kings moneyline as they find a way to win this game by one goal over the Calgary Flames on Monday night.

Prop Picks

Calgary (+160) UNDER 2.5 Goals

Los Angeles is allowing 2.8 goals per game on defense, which ranks No. 9 in the league, while limiting teams to 28.6 shots, which ranks No. 1. Scores have gone UNDER in five of the Kings’ last seven games as a Vegas underdog.

With Dunkel predicting a Los Angeles victory by the score of 3-2, take the Flames (+160) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 2.5 goals against the Kings.

Mikael Backlund (-155) UNDER 0.5 Points

Backlund has 33 points in 68 games, which ranks No. 7 on the Flames. He has just 16 points in 32 road games and 7 points in 28 Calgary losses.

With Dunkel predicting a Calgary road defeat and the final score staying UNDER the Vegas total, take Backlund (-155) to finish UNDER 0.5 points against the Kings.

Keep up with your latest NHL news coverage and betting pick previews at The Dunkel Index.