Flames vs Ducks Odds: NHL Preview, Prediction

Here's everything you need to know about the Flames vs Ducks on Friday, April 12 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.

The Ducks will look to end the home portion of their season on a high note Friday as they host the Flames. They have compiled a record of 3-5-2 over the last ten, and 12-25-2 at home this season.

Calgary lost for the eighth time in ten games Thursday in Los Angeles, and will turn to backup netminder Dustin Wolf for the second leg of this back-to-back spot.

In 18 games since Noah Hanifin and Chris Tanev were traded/scratched for trade related purposes, the Flames have put up a record of just 5-13-0. Their ten points in that span is tied with Anaheim for the least in the entire league.

There are a number of reasons why the bottom has entirely fallen out for the Flames.

Jacob Markstrom missed much of the last month, and has been a top five goaltender in the league this season. His absence was a large factor in this awful finish, and, as previously mentioned, he will likely sit in this back-to-back spot in favor of Dustin Wolf. Wolf has put up -9.0 GSAx and .896 save % across 14 NHL appearances this season.

Hanifin and Tanev made up one of the best second pairings in the entire league. Losing that duo has hurt the Flames' defensive level considerably, as they have allowed 3.35 xGA/60 over the last 18 games. Additionally, they have allowed 3.94 actual goals against per game since the deadline.

The Calgary offensive core continues to look quite limited as well. Jonathan Huberdeau has just 50 points in 77 games, and Nazem Kadri paces the team with 68 points. There have been some positive stories in this department, such as Yegor Sharangovich's 30 goals, but it is clear the Flames lack true game breaking talent.

With better injury luck Anaheim might have finished closer to the 27-29 range, and ultimately hurt their chances of securing presumptive first overall pick Macklin Celebrini this June. As a result, the injuries might've been a blessing in disguise, because the Ducks were never sniffing the playoffs.

With Trevor Zegras, Leo Carlsson and now Radko Gudas back in the mix, Anaheim is reaping the rewards of having a more complete roster than at other points in the campaign.

After a truly embarrassing night in Seattle on March 28, Zegras has bounced back with a better run of form. He still has the potential to be a point-per-game player in the NHL, and has three points over in Anaheim's last two games.

Over the last 10 games, Anaheim has played to a 42.85% expected goal share. That mark is improved from where it has been, and a visual evaluation of their performances against St. Louis and Los Angeles would tell you it has started to play at a higher level.

Lukas Dostal is likely to get the start for Anaheim. He has put up a -7.0 GSAx and .900 save % across 42 appearances.

(Utilize our latest  bet365 bonus code to get the most out of your Flames vs. Ducks action.)

The Flames are 2-8-0 over their last ten, and their underlying results have tailed off considerably since the deadline. They are a less formidable opponent with Wolf in goal over Markstrom, even if Wolf does eventually prove to be a league average goaltender.

The Ducks have offered slightly improved play of late, in part due to having a healthier roster. They boast some high end scoring talents inside the top-six, and a matchup with a stale Calgary offense should help hide their defensive flaws.

Nobody is trying to tell you that Anaheim is anything but terrible. The Flames have been comparably bad over a lengthy sample though, and Anaheim has some additional edges in this specific game with Calgary coming off a back-to-back and Wolf in goal.

We should see the Ducks bring a strong effort here in the final home game of their season, and I think the recent form of these teams is closer than this number suggests. There is value betting Anaheim at anything better than +115.

Pick: Anaheim Ducks Moneyline +125 (Play to +115)

The must-have app for NHL bettors

The best NHL betting scoreboard

Free picks from proven pros

Live win probabilities for your bets

DOWNLOAD NOW