NHL Spread Of The Day: Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks

There always seems to be one team that rises up and surprises everyone when the NHL season begins. Last year it was the Colorado Avalanche, and this year it looks as though the Calgary Flames might be that team. This is a young squad that is fun to watch, and which just might spring an upset or two if they can hang on to a playoff spot. Date/Time: February 04, 2015 / 10:00 PM Venue: Scotiabank Saddledome NHL Spread: San Jose -115

Lets Get Right To It

Calgary came out of the gate fast and hot, but it looked as though they might come crashing back to earth after going through an 8-game losing streak in December. The hockey pundits were declaring them DOA at that point, but these Flames refuse to be snuffed out, and have done a great job of getting back into playoff position. The Flames have won 7 of their last 10, and have rediscovered their scoring touch, netting 9 goals in their last two games, which were wins over the Oilers and Jets. Johnny Gaudreau made a memorable mark on the All-Star Game, and has delivered more than anyone expected this season, scoring 15 goals and adding 23 assists to this point in the season.

  The San Jose Sharks are just 2 points ahead of the Flames in 2^nd spot in the Pacific Division, so this game is important for both teams as they try to pin down a playoff spot in the second half of the season. The Sharks saw a 3-game win streak come to a halt in a 5-4 OT loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. It’s always tough for any team to go through back to back games in Alberta and come out with anything to show for it, and it can certainly be argued that the game versus the Flames is the much tougher option of the two. The Sharks will look to Joe Pavelski to continue his hot scoring streak, as he has 5 goals in the last 5 games.

SAN JOSE SHARKS BETTING TRENDS

The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Jose’s last 6 games San Jose is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 9 of San Jose’s last 13 games on the road San Jose is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Calgary The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Jose’s last 7 games when playing Calgary

CALGARY FLAMES BETTING TRENDS

Calgary is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Jose The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Calgary’s last 7 games when playing San Jose The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Calgary’s last 5 games when playing at home against San Jose

What Should You Bet On?

While this game has the makings of a shoot-out given the way the 2 teams are playing at the moment, their previous meetings this season suggest otherwise. The Flames lead the season series 2-1, with all three of the meetings being very tight. Two of the three games were decided by a single goal, with the Flames winning the other 2-0. I like the Flames to win again at home, but again, expect this to be another tight affair.