The Detroit Red Wings host the Calgary Flames tonight, Tuesday Mar 9, as eighth place in the West is on the line. This is the third of four meetings between these two and both clubs have won on road ice this season. NHL oddsmakers at SPORTSBETTING.com have the Red Wings as -200 moneyline favs over the Flames (+160) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your Calgary Flames vs Detroit Red Wings NHL Picks in early at SPORTSBETTING.com
The Flames (32-24-3-6) have won six of their last ten games and two of five on the road. They are 16-9-2-4 on the road where they average 2.65 GAG and allow 2.39 GAG. They recently won in Minnesota 5-2. They got goals from Rene Bourque, Mark Giordano and Jarome Iginla (3). Goalie Vesa Toskala stopped 27 of 29 shots in his first start since coming from Toronto. He is 3-7 in his last ten with a 3.60 and overall he’s 8-12-3 with a 3.59 GAA and a .877 SVPCT. The Flames have made the playoffs every season since losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2004 Stanley Cup Final and they will need Iginla to continue putting pucks in the net if they hope to return there this year. Flames left wing Rene Bourque has five points in his last two games , including a four-point effort (1-3-4) last game. They got two goals on the powerplay after going three straight without. The Flames are expected to have a fully healthy lineup.
The Wings (31-22-4-8) have won five of ten and three of five at home. They are 17-9-2-3 at home where they average 2.65 GAG and allow 2.26 GAG. They recently won in Chicago 5-4. They got goals from Brian Rafalski, Nicklas Lidstrom, Jason Williams, Valtteri Filppula and Pavel Datsyuk all in the second period. Goalie Jimmy Howard stopped 28 of 32 shots and is 5-5 with a 3.10 GAA. Overall he’s 24-14-8 with a 2.37 GAA and a .924 SVPCT. "We came out and went to town in the second period," goaltender Jimmy Howard said. "We really played well in the neutral zone and counterattacked and got something on them." Wings center Pavel Datsyuk has scored in five straight games and nine out of his last 10 overall , amassing 12pts (5-7-12) over that span. The Wings have a goal or more on the powerplay in six straight. Veteran Todd Bertuzzi left Sunday’s game in the second period with a lower-body injury and his playing status is uncertain. Fans should expect a tight matchup with both teams trying to grind it out for the all important regulation win and a two-point gain in the standings.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Detroit.
- Home team is 14-6 in the last 20 meetings.
- Flames are 2-8 in the last 10 meetings in Detroit.
- Underdog is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
- Red Wings are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
- Flames are 1-6 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Flames are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. Central.
Calgary Flames vs Detroit Red Wings
When: Tuesday Mar 09 2009 7:00 PM ET
Line: SPORTSBETTING.com
Pick: Wings -200
Point-Spreads.com Calgary Flames vs Detroit Red Wings NHL Picks
The Bottom Line: The Wings are getting goals now with a healthy lineup back. Be sure to get your Calgary Flames vs Detroit Red Wings NHL Picks in early at SPORTSBETTING and cash in with sign-up bonuses, weekly reload bonuses and free payouts at SPORTSBETTING.com, where betting is safe, secure and easy.
