NHL Betting Pick of the Day: Calgary Flames vs. Los Angeles Kings (April 17, 2025)
Attention all hockey heads: There’s a Pacific Division showdown brewing in L.A. with postseason implications and some bad blood. Calgary’s already taken the first two of the series, and the Kings aren’t trying to get walked off their own ice. Both teams are champing at the bit, and this one could feel like a playoff game, and the playoffs haven’t even started!
Game Snapshot
The puck drops late out west, but this one’s definitely worth staying up for. Besides, you can be a little sleepy the next day—it’s Friday! Both of these teams have their spots in the postseason, but the standings are tight, and a win here could improve their positions.
- Matchup: Calgary Flames (39-27-14) vs. Los Angeles Kings (47-24-9)
- Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- Time: 9:30 pm ET
- Broadcast: ESPN+
Calgary’s coming in with the season series in their back pocket. L.A.’s skating on home ice, and they do NOT wanna get swept while on their turf.
Why This Game Matters
This game won’t be two playoff-bound teams just going through the motions; there’s positioning on the line and a possible bracket shuffle.
The Kings have already dropped two to the Flames, and they don’t want that third L goose egg hanging over their heads before the postseason starts. And Calgary’s trying to get it while the getting is good as far as the standings, and a road win in L.A. would seal the deal. Neither club is coasting into this one.
Team Form & Trends
Both of the teams are playoff-bound, but they’re heading there on really different trajectories—here’s how they got here and how they looked doing it!
Calgary Flames
They’ve been hot and cold all season, and that streaky play hasn’t changed very much down the stretch.
- Recent Form: 3-2 in their last 5. Really scrappy wins, but nothing to get excited about.
- Offense: Putting up 2.64 goals a night. Not lighting the lamp easily, but they’ve found ways to grind it out.
- Defense: Letting in 2.89 goals per game. The goaltending has been so-so, and the defensive breakdowns pop up at the worst times.
- Power Play: 20.5% conversion; middle of the pack, but good enough to matter.
- Key Player: Nazem Kadri is out in front with 63 points (32 G, 31 A) and continues to stir things up.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings are finishing strong, and they are gonna make Crypto.com Arena a tough place for the opposition..
- Recent Form: 4-1 in their last 5. They’re picking up steam at the exact right time.
- Offense: Averaging 3.03 goals per game. The top six is clicking, and the forecheck’s been relentless.
- Defense: Only 2.41 goals against per night. They’ve been keeping things tight in their own end.
- Power Play: 17.4%. It could be better, but it’s not a total liability.
- Key Player: Adrian Kempe is pacing the squad with 71 points (34 G, 37 A). He’s been a speed demon.
Injury Report
Neither side has a clean bill of health, and a few of the main guys are missing or day-to-day.
Calgary Flames
- Anthony Mantha (F): Done for the year
- Justin Kirkland (F): Also out for the season
- Connor Zary (F): Day-to-day with a lower-body issue
Los Angeles Kings
- Joel Edmundson (D): Day-to-day; he hasn’t skated this week
- Tanner Jeannot (F): Out, and no update on his return
- Quinton Byfield (F): Day-to-day, but this is expected to be a game-time call
Current Betting Odds, Line Movement, & Insights
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Flames | +1.5 (-205) | +130 | Over 5.5 (-110) |
Kings | -1.5 (+170) | -155 | Under 5.5 (-110) |
The Kings are getting the home-ice nod, but Calgary’s been a thorn in their side all season. Below is how the lines were stacking up yesterday, according to DraftKings:
Yesterday Betting Odds
- Moneyline: Kings -215 | Flames +185
- Puck Line: Kings -1.5
- Over/Under: 5.5 goals
- Public Betting: Action is split pretty evenly between both sides.
- Trend to Watch: L.A. has hit the OVER in 4 of their last 5 games.
DraftKings had the Kings as solid favorites, but the Flames have been a tough matchup for them. The total looks sharp at 5.5, mainly because of how open the last few Kings games have been.
Betting Pick & Prediction
We’ve seen these teams go at it twice already, and neither game was a snoozer. Don’t be surprised if this one turns into another back-and-forth night on the scoresheet.
Best Bets
- Pick: Over 5.5 Total Goals
- Why: The Kings have been playing wide-open hockey lately, and their games are trending high-scoring. Calgary’s been giving up chances, but they’re still finding ways to bury pucks, too. Both teams have enough firepower (and enough defensive lapses) to push this one past the total.
Final Score Prediction
We don’t think this game will be easy by any stretch for L.A., but they’ve got way too much at stake to drop another one to Calgary.
Prediction: Kings 4, Flames 3
Calgary will make ’em earn it, but the Kings hold serve at home with a third-period dagger. No sweep tonight, but it will be a grimy, hard-fought dub.
