NHL Predictions: Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames Odds and Picks

It's like deja vu all over again. The last time we did a Flames preview it was when they are playing the Kings - just like they are now a week later. It's all part of a weird stretch of games for Calgary - L.A., Edmonton, L.A. and Edmonton over a four-game stretch. The difference between this game and last week's though, is that Calgary was in the midst of an eight-game losing streak and faltering last time. Now they have won their last two - starting with a crazy comeback against L.A. - and seem to have some of their mojo back again.

The Flames are trying to salvage their season and get back into the playoff hunt that their losing streak knocked them out of. The Kings will be looking for revenge after the humiliation of blowing a two-goal lead in the final minutes of last week's game. Plus, the Calgary fans have mixed feelings about Darryl Sutter and always let him know about when the former Calgary coach and GM returns to town. This has the makings of a very good one.

Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames Betting Storylines

Johnny Gaudreau, the pint-sized Flames mega-rookie, is on a tear. If the season were to end today then Nashville's Filip Forsberg, who has 34 points in 34 games, would likely be named Rookie of the Year. However, Gaudreau is making a case of his own. He has 29 points in 36 games and has scored six goals in his last three - including a natural hat trick last time he played the Kings to tie the game at three and take it to overtime, and he had two goals in 16 seconds against Edmonton on Saturday night. He's a ridiculously explosive offensive force, and his confidence is contagious on this Calgary team. As long as he stays hot then this team will be tough to beat.

Jonas Hiller has been tabbed to start this game - his fifth in a row. After some back and forth with Karri Ramo, Hiller has again staked his claim as the top goalie on his team. His play has been very solid lately, and though I wasn't necessarily expecting him to get the start here I am certainly not disappointed that he has.

Like the Flames, the Kings ended their brief Christmas break with a fairly easy win - albeit against a much better opponent in San Jose than the weakling Oilers that the Flames beat up on. An early lapse gave the Sharks a quick 1-0 lead, but then the Kings shut the gates defensively and cruised to a 3-1 win. It was an impressive performance - and the best game that Jonathan Quick has played in a while - for the last 57 minutes, at least. Both Quick and the Kings' defense were really suspect in the closing minutes of the loss to the Flames, so it was a good sign that they were able to shake it off and get back to what they do best.

One major concern for the Kings in this one is simple geography. At home they are an impressive 14-4-2, which is tied for the league lead in home wins. On the road, though, they are a dismal 4-7-5. Only Edmonton - with two - have fewer road wins in the league than the Kings, and the Oilers are really, really terrible. The team really struggles to recapture their home magic when traveling.

Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames Odds and Betting Trends

The Flames have opened as +115 underdogs , with the Kings favored at -135. The total sits at 5.

The Kings have gone "over" the total in their last four road games and in seven of their last eight overall. The Flames have gone "under" the total in five of their last six against Western Conference opponents. The Kings are 6-1 in their last seven games in Calgary. The road team has won five of the last six games between these foes.

Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames Predictions and Picks

It's hard not to take the Flames in this one. They have looked good in their last two, have a goalie playing well, and are at home in front of an enthusiastic holiday crowd. The Kings are not strong on the road, and the Flames will not be intimidated by them after the last win in L.A.. The Kings are not strong on the road and have been only intermittently sharp over their last 10 games or more. There is real value on the Flames here.

4-Unit Play #74 Take Calgary Flames (+115) vs. L.A. (9:05 pm ET Monday)

Year-to-date Flames picks: 7-5, +8 Units, +$1040.

Read more articles by Trevor Whenham