| Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars Free NHL Pick |
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| Written by Scott Burgess | |||||||
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Wednesday, 18 March 2009
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 The Calgary Flames aren’t charging up in the Northwest Standings as they’ve lost four of their last five, but still sit atop the Northwest as they watch their lead shrink, while the Dallas Stars have only four wins out of ten games. The Calgary Flames (40-23-4-2) host the Dallas Stars (33-29-4-4) tonight for some hard hitting NHL action. NHL oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Flames as -200 moneyline favs over the Stars with the over/under listed at 5.5 goals. Get your Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars Free NHL Pick in now at Sportsbook.comThe Stars recently lost to the Canucks 4-2 on the road despite goals from Stephane Robidas and Steve Ott. Goalie Marty Turco stopped 21 of 25 shots for a 32-26-8 record with a 2.83 GAA and a .897 SVPCT. The Stars power play has only one goal in three games, while their penalty kill has given up a goal or more a game in four straight. Right wing Jere Lehtinen returned to Dallas' lineup Tuesday after he missed six games due to an upper-body injury, but forwards Brad Richards (broken wrist), Fabian Brunnstrom (upper body), Toby Peterson (foot) and Mark Parrish (head) remained sidelined. Marty Turco could be back in net after making 21 saves in Tuesday's loss. He has stopped 60 of 62 shots in Dallas' two wins over the Flames this season, and is 14-6-1 with two ties and a 1.77 GAA in 24 career starts versus Calgary. The Stars are 6-1-1 in their last eight games against the Flames, including three straight wins in Calgary. Dallas' Mike Ribeiro has four goals and seven assists during an eight-game point streak. The Stars are 14-16-2-2 on the road where they average 2.62 GAG and give up an average 3.21 GAG. They are 2-3 in their last five road games where they’ve averaged 3.00 GAG and given up an average 3.40 GAG. The Stars have dropped into a ninth-place tie with Minnesota in the Western Conference. The Flames recently lost to the Leafs 6-8 on the road. They got goals from Olli Jokinen (3), Dion Phaneuf, Curtis Glencross and Jarome Iginla. Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff allowed six goals on 22 shots Saturday before he was replaced by Curtis McElhinney early in the third period. Kipper is 40-17-5 with a 2.88 GAA and a .903 SVPCT. he has struggled lately, going 3-2-0 with a 4.57 GAA in seven starts since March 1. Kiprusoff figures to be back in net tonight despite losing his last four starts (0-3-1) against Dallas, including a pair of 3-1 defeats to the Stars this season. Olli Jokinen has provided more offense than expected since joining the Flames, he has eight goals and 10 points in his first six games with Calgary. Their power play has done well their last two games with four goals in eight power plays, but their penalty kill has let them down allowing 10 goals in five games or 35 kills. The Flames are 22-8-2-2 at home where they average 3.68 GAG and give up an average 2.79 GAG. They are 3-2 in their last five home games where they’ve averaged 4.60 GAG and given up an average 3.20 GAG. Recent Trends to Consider:
Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars Free NHL Pick When: Wed, Mar 18, 2009 7:00 PM ET Line: Sportsbook.com Pick: Stars +170 Point-Spreads.com Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars Free NHL Pick The Bottom Line: Despite the Stars struggles they do well against the Flames, who are falling fast. Go Stars! Get your Calgary Flames vs Dallas Stars Free NHL Pick in now at Sportsbook.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit!                        |
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