Welcome to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey looks at the games happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head matchups and other factors that may play in. Today, we’re looking at the Calgary Flames against the Los Angeles Kings. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions every day there’s hockey this 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
Calgary Flames (40-27-14) vs Los Angeles Kings (46-24-9)
Head-to-Head: Flames lead 2-0
Time: 9:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: ESPN | SNW, SN1, SNO, SNP
Heading into the season the Los Angeles Kings were expected to be in the playoffs for the fourth straight season. Los Angeles put together a solid season and will finish second in the Pacific Division. The Kings have done what most expected, utilizing a deep balanced roster and sound structured hockey to put themselves into Stanley Cup contention. Unlike Los Angeles, the Calgary Flames had no playoff expectations. Most experts expected the Flames to be near the bottom of the league. The Flames, however, put together an impressive season, battling all year long to give them a chance to make the playoffs. The Flames will ultimately fall short of their playoff dreams regardless of tonight’s contest.
The Pacific Division rivals have met twice previously this season with the Flames winning both low-scoring contests. Tonight’s game has no impact on the standings. Despite this, there are still some storylines worth watching which we will break down in tonight’s NHL prediction.
Kings In a Familiar Spot
Tonight’s game against the Calgary Flames is just a box to be checked as the Kings prepare for the playoffs. Los Angeles will meet the Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth straight season. The Oilers have knocked LA out of the playoffs in the first round for three consecutive years. The Kings, however, do have reason to believe this year will be different. LA will have home-ice advantage for the first time and currently have a strong 31-5-4 record at home. The Kings bring a balanced mix of veteran leadership and young talent that have propelled them to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles is still being led by franchise icons Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty both of who continue to be incredibly impactful players despite their age. Around this solid foundation, the Kings have developed exciting younger players like scoring leader Adrian Kempe and former second-overall draft pick Quinton Byfield. The Kings aren’t the highest-scoring team in the league but are one of the best defensive teams. LA is getting solid goaltending from Darcy Kemper and have allowed the second-fewest goals against by a team this season. In tonight’s matchup, the Kings will be prioritizing rest and health ahead of the playoffs which means key veterans like Kopitar and Doughty won’t be on the ice.
The Flames Fall Just Short
The Calgary Flames and their fans were hoping that the final game of the season would matter. It had the chance to be a win-and-your-in situation. Unfortunately, even if Calgary wins tonight they will miss the playoffs due to the St. Louis Blues holding the tiebreaker over them. Calgary was supposed to be nowhere near playoff contention, so despite the sting of falling just short, this was an impressive year for the Flames. Calgary nearly made the playoffs thanks in large part to their team MVP, rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf. The Calder Trophy candidate put together a 2.64 Goals Against Average and .910 Save Percentage along with a 29-16-8 record. Wolf proved he could be a number-one goaltender in the NHL this season. The Flames were led largely thanks to some impressive seasons from veterans Jonathan Huberdeau, Nazem Kadri, and MacKenzie Weegar. Those veterans were supported by some younger players taking big steps.
Forward Matthew Coronato who scored 24 goals on the season, became a key player for the Flames this season and he looks to be a future 30-goal scorer. Newly acquired defenceman Kevin Bahl solidified himself as a legitimate top-four NHL defenceman this year proving the larger responsibility wasn’t too much for him. The Flames also saw Adam Klapka show signs of being a legitimate NHLer down the stretch. Heading into tonight’s final game, Calgary will look to the future and developing more young talent. Top prospect Zayne Parekh and fellow prospect Aydar Suniev are expected to draw into tonight’s contest for the Flames. Their presence should serve as excitement for fans who are hoping Calgary can build on this year by adding more talented youth to next year’s roster.
NHL Predictions: Flames vs. Kings
As we discussed above this game has no real impact on standings or potential outcomes for the year. That means this game means very little to both sides. We know the Kings will be resting key players ahead of the playoffs and their number one goal will be to get out of this game without injury.
The Flames will have to find some motivation to finish the season on a win, despite failing to reach their goal. The injection of some exciting young prospects, mainly one Zayne Parekh, might be enough to get the Flames exited for the final game of the year. This injection of youth might be enough to swing the play in Calgary’s favour for the final game.
Prediction: Calgary wins 3-2
Prop Bets of the Night
With the injection of youth on the Flames side and key veterans resting for the Kings, tonight is a fun night to take some chance on youngsters.
On the LA side, Alex Turcotte is coming off a two-point performance in his last game. With the added ice time tonight, he’s a prime candidate to record a point. The Kings also have a talented young defenceman in Brandt Clarke. He will see some extra ice time tonight with key veterans out. There’s a good chance he’ll manage to pick up at least one assist in tonight’s action.
On the Flames side, it’s all about rookie Zayne Parekh. Putting a bet on him to record a point in his NHL debut will add some extra fun to watching this one for Flames fans.
Main Photo: Sergei Belski- Imagn Images
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