- What: NHL Regular Season Game
- When: April 17, 2025
- Who: Calgary Flames vs. Los Angeles Kings
- Time: 6:35 p.m. PST
- Where: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles, CA)
The Calgary Flames should be recognized for coming so close to clinching a postseason spot. However, that recognition won’t ease the disappointment as they prepare for a season finale against the Los Angeles Kings, a match that holds little significance now.
The Kings secured a 6-5 win against Seattle. They nearly fell apart in the last 15 minutes, but they persevered.
With 12 victories in their last 15 games, the Kings boast the third-best record (tied with Vegas) since March 20. However, I’m leaning towards the Flames, who have an impressive fifth-best record (10-2-3) since March 18.
Though the Flames will carry their disappointment into the summer, they can take pride in how they competed this season when many doubted their chances to remain in the playoff race until the second-to-last game.
Unless the Kings are indeed robots, which is a possibility, I anticipate one moment where they ease off towards the end of the game, especially with a lineup that may not be as strong.
We’ll unlikely see Darcy Kuemper, as Jim Hiller will likely want to keep him safe from injury. The Flames might also adjust their lineup, particularly in the net, as they aim to give Dustin Wolf a well-deserved break.
If I know the Flames well, they’ll spend the offseason reflecting on what could have been, and rightfully so. A win would put them level with the St. Louis Blues at 96 points.
Sadly, they’ll remain outside the playoff contention picture, having lost the tiebreaker—a heart-wrenching outcome worthy of respect.
I’ll take the Flames to pull of the upset over the Kings in this one.
Best Bet: Flames Money Line at +150 odds
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Tony Reyes is a sports betting analyst and reporter for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X @TonyParlay.
