Calgary Flames vs Los Angeles Kings Prediction, 12/23/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Calgary Flames vs Los Angeles Kings

Date: Saturday, December 23, 2023

Location: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA

TV: Bally Sports West

Odds/Point Spread: Flames (+135) Kings (-165)

Crypto.com Arena is the site where the Los Angeles Kings (18-7-4) will attempt to beat the Calgary Flames (14-14-5) on Saturday. The moneyline on this contest has Calgary at +135 while Los Angeles is at -165. The betting total comes in at 7.

The Calgary Flames came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 3-0 victory against the Ducks in their previous game. Calgary tallied 13 minutes in the box in this outing. They also had 7 power play attempts and were able to net 1 goal. The Flames were neither impressive or disappointing offensively in this win. In the matchup, they scored on 3 of the 44 shots they attempted.

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When talking about their scoring, the Calgary Flames have racked up 99 goals (18th in the league) for the year and have given up 106. For the season, they sit with 33 points and their points percentage is sitting at .500. Calgary has accumulated 104 power play chances and they have tallied 12 goals out of those attempts, earning them a percentage of 11.54%. When at even strength, the Flames have conceded 88 goals while getting 87 on the offensive side of the ice. Calgary has taken 1,042 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 9.5%. The Flames so far have had 979 shots attempted against them and have a save percentage of .892. Calgary Flames opponents have recorded 104 power play tries (13th in the league) and have come away with 18 goals in those chances.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Jacob Markstrom. Markstrom has taken the ice for 455 games during his pro hockey career. He has compiled a win-loss mark of 200-181-57 and he started in 438 games. Opponents have tallied 1,182 goals versus Markstrom in his pro career and his goals against rate is 2.72. Markstrom has had 13,022 shot attempts taken against him and has accrued 11,840 total saves. His save percentage is at .909 in his 26,103 minutes in the crease. Over the course of his career, Markstrom has 230 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .525.

In their last contest, Los Angeles went up against the Kraken in a matchup where the Kings ended up losing by a tally of 2-1. The Kings scored 1 goal out of the 43 shots on goal they tried. They had 4 opportunities on the power play in this game but weren't able to put one in the back of the net.

Over the course of the season, the Los Angeles Kings have accounted for 101 goals, 40 points, and a points percentage of .690. They have granted a total of 68 goals to be scored by way of 56 goals at even strength and 12 goals while they were shorthanded. The Kings have racked up 80 goals at even strength and 21 goals (17th in pro hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have a total of 101 opportunities on the power play and they have a power play rate of 20.79%. Los Angeles has taken 984 shots (14th in professional hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 10.26%, while allowing the opposition 766 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 86.81% on their opponents 91 tries on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 91.1%.

Across the ice you will find Cam Talbot in the crease. Opponents are averaging 2.62 goals per game and he has surrendered 1,132 goals altogether. Talbot's percentage of quality starts sits at 54.7% and he has qualified for 237 quality starts in his career. He has been a starter 433 games and has played 25,914 mins. Talbot has amassed a career mark of 231-162-38 and has participated in 453 games. He has recorded 12,046 saves out of the 13,178 shots attempted, giving him a save percentage of .914.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Calgary (+135)

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