The Calgary Flames have watched their 11 point lead in the Northwest dwindle to a two point lead, while the San Jose Sharks have clinched top spot in the Pacific. The Calgary Flames (43-26-4-2) host the San Jose Sharks (49-15-6-5) for some hard hitting NHL action. NHL oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Flames as -135 moneyline favs over the Sharks (+118) with the over/under posted at 5.5 goals. Be sure to get your Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks Free NHL Pick in now at Sportsbook.com
The Sharks recently beat the Coyotes 3-2 at home after dropping two straight. They got goals from Jody Shelley, Tom Cavanagh and Joe Pavelski. Goalie Evgeni Nabokov stopped 25 of 27 shots for a 38-8-8 record with a 2.44 GAA and a .911 SVPCT. The injury-riddled Sharks could be without Patrick Marleau, after suffering a lower body injury in the second period against the Coyotes. The left winger leads the team with a career-high 37 goals. The Sharks have lost three straight away from HP Pavilion and are 4-7-3 in their last 14 road contests. The Sharks are 18-12-3-4 on the road where they average 2.81 GAG and give up an average 2.76 GAG. They are 1-4 in their last five road games where they’ve averaged 2.40 GAG and given up an average 3.20 GAG. San Jose had already been limping down the stretch, playing without right wing Jonathan Cheechoo (lower body), defenseman Rob Blake (lower body), left wing Ryan Clowe (lower body procedure) and center Marcel Goc (lower body). They were among nine players scratched by San Jose on Saturday. San Jose has clinched its second consecutive Pacific Division crown and set a franchise record of 109pts with Saturday's 3-2 win over Phoenix.
The Flames recently beat the Wild 3-2 a home for their fourth win in ten games. They got goals from Jamie Lundmark, Daymond Langkow and Eric Nystrom. Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 13 of 15 shots for a 43-20-5 record with a 2.86 GAA and a .903 SVPCT. The Kipper is 6-2-0 with a 2.63 goals-against average and one shutout in his last eight games against San Jose at Pengrowth. The Flames are 25-9-2-2 at home where they average 3.61 GAG and give up an average 2.74 GAG. They are 3-2 in their last five home games where they’ve averaged 3.60 GAG and given up an average 3.40 GAG. The Flames lost 5-2 in their last game at the Pengrowth Saddledome on Jan. 6 after falling behind by three in the first period. Calgary is trying to hold off Vancouver in the race for the Northwest Division title and third seed in the conference. If the Flames fall out of first place in the division, they could be in danger of losing the fourth spot in the conference – and home-ice advantage in the opening round – to Chicago.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Home team is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
- Over is 4-1-2 in the last 7 meetings in Calgary.
- Over is 9-3-4 in the last 16 meetings.
- Sharks are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in Calgary.
- Sharks are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Sharks are 21-6 in their last 27 Monday games.
- Sharks are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Northwest.
Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks Free NHL Pick
When: Mon, Mar 30, 2009 9:30 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Flames -135
Point-Spreads.com Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks Free NHL Pick
The Bottom Line: It comes down to goaltending for this matchup and the Sharks have too many injuries. Kipper is hot while Nabokov is not. Go Flames! Be sure to get your Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks Free NHL Pick in now at Sportsbook.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit!
