Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for from various handicappers and websites for Wednesday 4/3/19
There are only three games scheduled in the National Hockey League on Wednesday, April 3, which includes the Western Conference leader, the Calgary Flames taking on the Anaheim Ducks as they look to earn their fourth straight victory. In other action, the Ottawa Senators battle the New York Rangers and there is a great Central Division battle between the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks.
Lines provided by BetDSI Sportsbook. Get the trends for all National Hockey League Games here.
Featured Game
Calgary Flames (-172) vs. Anaheim Ducks (+150)
This battle pits two teams that are at the opposite extremes of the Western Conference. The Calgary Flames entered the game with the top record in the conference with 107 points (50-23-7), while Anaheim is in 14th place with 76 points (33-37-10). Calgary is 24-14-2 on the road this season and they are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games as they have won their last three contests. Anaheim is 17-14-8 at home this season and are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.
Goaltending Matchup:
David Rittich is 27-8-3 for Calgary this season with a 2.60 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. Rittich has allowed two goals or less in four straight starts and has won five of his last six starts. He is 7-3-0 in his last 10 games, allowing 24 goals total in that span.
John Gibson is 25-22-6 for Anaheim this season with a 2.86 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. He has won his last three starts and seven of his last eight overall. Gibson is 8-2-0 in his last 10 starts, allowing 26 total goals in that span.
Hot Trends:
The Calgary Flames are…
9-3 in their last 12 games.
5-1 in their last six games against teams from the Pacific.
22-8 in their last 30 games against teams with a losing record.
The Anaheim Ducks are…
14-31 in their last 45 games.
0-4 in their last four games against teams with a winning percentage greater than .600.
13-6 in their last 19 games when playing on three days or more rest.
Stat Pack:
Flames:
Goals For: 3.59
Goals Against: 2.71
Power-Play: 19.9%
Penalty Killing: 79.8%
Ducks:
Goals For: 2.35
Goals Against: 3.06
Power-Play: 17.2%
Penalty Killing: 78.9%
Prediction
The truth is that neither of these teams has a lot to play for. Calgary has already clinched the top spot in the Western Conference while Anaheim is eliminated from playoff contention. It is likely that Calgary will be looking to rest players and to be careful to avoid injury as they are just seven days away from beginning a Stanley Cup run. With Gibson playing as well as he has of late, it makes sense to believe that Flames winning streak extinguished.
The total is set at 5.5 for this contest, and these two teams have gone under in seven of the last eight games. The Ducks have the worst offense in the league, but Gibson is playing well for them. Take the under as the Anaheim Ducks win 3-2.
Two Games to Watch
Ottawa Senators (+145) vs. New York Rangers (-167)
Both of these teams are eliminated from the playoffs. New York is 12th in the conference with 75 points (31-35-13), while Ottawa is in last with 62 points (28-45-6). Ottawa is 10-27-2 on the road this season and are 5-5-0 in their last 10 games. The Rangers are 18-13-8 at home and are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games.
Why Ottawa Wins:
Rangers are 2-5 in their last seven games at home.
Rangers are 4-14 in their last 18 games.
Senators are 5-2 in the last seven meetings between these two teams.
Henrik Lundqvist has lost five straight games for the Rangers
Why New York Wins:
Rangers are 46-22 in their last 68 games against teams with a winning percentage less than .600.
Senators are 16-36 in their last 52 games.
Senators are 18-57 in their last 75 games on the road.
Rangers are 5-1 in the last six meetings in New York.
Home team has won 14 of the last 16 meetings.
Anders Nilsson has lost two straight for Ottawa.
What About the Total?
Go over 6.0, because…
Lundqvist has a 3.60 goals-against average in his last five starts.
Nilsson has a 4.50 goals-against average in his last two starts.
New York has gone over in four of their last five games.
Louis Blues (-148) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (+123)
The St. Louis Blues have clinched a playoff berth, and are ranked fourth in the Western Conference with 94 points (43-28-8). The Chicago Blackhawks are all but eliminated from the playoffs. Chicago is in 11th in the conference with 80 points (34-33-12). St. Louis is 21-13-6 on the road this season and are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. Chicago is 17-14-8 at home and they are 4-3-3 in their last 10 games.
Why St. Louis Wins:
Blues are 6-1 in their last seven games.
Blues are 10-4 in their last 14 games within the division.
Blackhawks are 2-6 in their last eight games.
Jordan Binnington allowed two goals in his last start and has won six of his last seven decisions.
Corey Crawford has allowed four goals in two of his last three starts.
Why Chicago Wins:
Blackhawks are 5-1 in their last six games against teams with a winning record
Blues are 2-6 in their last eight games on a Wednesday.
What About the Total?
Go over 5.5, because…
Total has gone over in six of the last nine meetings between these two teams and Chicago.
Total has gone over in 12 of the last 19 meetings.
Chicago has gone over in 19 of their last 26 games at home.
Crawford has a 3.67 goals-against average over his last three starts.