The Calgary Flames host the struggling San Jose Sharks, Friday Mar 19, as the Sharks look to avoid dropping five straight. This is third of four meetings this season as both teams have split a pair. NHL oddsmakers at BETUS.com have the Flames as -125 moneyline favs over the Sharks (+110) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your San Jose Sharks vs Calgary Flames NHL Prediction in now at BETUS.com
The Sharks (43-17-4-6) have lost six of their last ten and four of five away from home. They are 21-11-1-1 on the road where they average 2.94 GAG and allow 2.68 GAG. They recently lost in Vancouver 2-3. They got goals from Ryane Clowe and Joe Pavelski. Goalie Evgeni Nabokov stopped 23 of 26 shots and is 5-5 in his last ten with a 3.40 GAA. Overall he’s 37-13-9 with a 2.38 GAA and a .924 SVPCT. The Sharks haven't had an easy time of things since returning to play following the Olympics. They won three in a row and then they've dropped four in a row. "I thought for two periods we worked real hard and made them battle for every inch of ice they got," Coach Todd McLellan said. "I feel a lot better about tonight's game when we get on the flight (to Calgary) than I did leaving Dallas. The effort was a lot stronger tonight, and sometimes that's the turning point." Joe Pavelski has five goals and five assists in the Sharks' eight games since the Olympic break .
The Flames (35-26-3-6) has won six of their last ten and three of five at home. They are 17-16-1-2 at home where they average 2.33 GAG and allow 2.42 GAG. They recently won in Colorado 3-2 thanks to goals from Rene Bourque (2) and Eric Nystrom. Goalie Vesa Toskala stopped 32 of 34 shots and is 3-7 in his last ten with a 3.30 GAA. This was his third start for the Flames after being traded from Toronto, he’s 2-1 with a 2.33 GAA as a Flame. The Flames are in a battle for the final Western Conference playoff berth, one point back from eighth place Detroit. Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff will be back in net after resting last game, but Kiprusoff was pulled the last time these teams played after giving up six goals on 34 shots. If he doesn’t do well new backup Vesa Toskala, who has inspired confidence in his teammates, will protect between the pipes. "He is a quality goaltender," coach Brent Sutter said. "He has been a No. 1 goaltender in the NHL. In the two games he has played, I've been very happy with him. I have no problem playing Vesa any time." Calgary forward Curtis Glencross will miss Friday's game with a knee injury while forward Christopher Higgins is day-to-day with a foot injury. The Flames have the third-lowest goals-per-game average at 2.49 , but the third-best goals-against average at 2.40. The Flames have the advantage of being rested and on home ice while the Sharks had to play the previous night and then travel.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Underdog is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings
- Flames are 6-0 in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Flames are 5-2 in their last 7 overall.
- Flames are 4-9 in their last 13 games as a favorite.
- Sharks are 0-4 in their last 4 road games.
- Sharks are 0-4 in their last 4 overall.
San Jose Sharks vs Calgary Flames
When: Friday Mar 19, 2009 9:00 PM ET
Line: BETUS.com
Pick: Flames -125
Point-Spreads.com San Jose Sharks vs Calgary Flames NHL Prediction
The Bottom Line: The Flames have hotter goaltending and their at home. Be sure to get your San Jose Sharks vs Calgary Flames NHL Prediction in early at BETUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
