Calgary Flames vs Anaheim Ducks Prediction, 12/21/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Calgary Flames vs Anaheim Ducks

Date: Thursday, December 21, 2023

Location: Honda Center in Anaheim, CA

TV: Bally Sports

Odds/Point Spread: Flames (-157) Ducks (+128)

Honda Center is the location where the Anaheim Ducks (12-19-0) will try to defeat the Calgary Flames (13-14-5) on Thursday. The odds on this game have Calgary at -157 while Anaheim is opening at +128. The over/under is 7.

The Calgary Flames will head into their next game feeling good after earning a 3-1 victory over the Panthers their last time out. Calgary earned 10 minutes in the box in this outing. The Flames had a middle of the road offensive output in this victory. Additionally, they had 5 power play tries but didn't get a goal. For the outing, they converted 3 out of the 24 shots they put on goal.

Get all of our Free NHL Picks

Regarding their scoring, the Calgary Flames have earned 96 goals (17th in hockey) on the year and have conceded 106. For the season, they have 31 points and their points percentage sits at .484. Calgary has tallied 97 power play chances and they have scored 11 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a rate of 11.34%. When playing at even strength, the Flames have allowed the opponent to score 88 goals while scoring 85 on the offensive side of the ice. Calgary has tried 998 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.6%. The Flames so far have had 954 shots taken against them and have earned a save percentage of .889. Calgary Flames opponents have 100 power play opportunities (14th in pro hockey) and have earned 18 goals in those attempts.

The man in goal for this game is Jacob Markstrom. Markstrom has been involved in 454 matchups throughout his hockey career. He has accumulated a mark of 199-181-57 and he started in 437 games. Opponents have notched 1,182 goals against Markstrom in his career and his average for goals against per game is 2.72. Markstrom has had 12,997 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 11,815 total saves. He has a save percentage of .909 during his 26,043 mins on the ice. During his career on the ice, Markstrom has recorded 229 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .524.

In their last outing, Anaheim faced off against the Red Wings in a game where the Ducks got the win by a final of 4-3. They had 3 opportunities on the power play in this one and scored 1 out of those tries. The Ducks tallied 4 goals of the 22 shots on goal they tried.

The Ducks are sitting with 61 goals at even strength and 22 goals (15th in hockey) while having a power play advantage. Anaheim has put up 907 shots (26th in the league) and has a shooting percentage of 9.15%, while allowing their opponents 985 shots. So far this season, the Anaheim Ducks have 83 goals, 24 points, as well as a points percentage of .387. They have allowed 105 goals to be scored by of a combination of 77 goals at even strength and 28 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have a total of 99 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 22.22%. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 80.14% on their opponents 141 power play tries, and their save percentage currently comes in at 89.3%.

On the other side of the ice you are likely to see John Gibson protecting the goal. Gibson has accumulated a lifetime mark of 186-192-59 and has participated in 452 games. Gibson's quality start percentage comes out to 54.1% and he has accumulated 239 quality starts in his pro career. He has accrued 12,632 saves out of the 13,851 shots tried, which gives him a save % of .912. His opposition is averaging 2.83 goals/game and he has relinquished 1,219 goals altogether. He was named a starter in 442 games and has been on the ice for 25,839 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Calgary (-157)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here