by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Apr 15, 2026
Game Time: 9:00 pm ET, Thursday, April 16, 2026
Venue: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline: Kings -130, Flames +110; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
Bet365: Moneyline: Kings -130, Flames +110; Over/Under: 5.5 goals
BetMGM: Moneyline: Kings -135, Flames +115; Over/Under: 6 goals
Season Record
Los Angeles Kings: 35-26-20 (4th place, Pacific Division)
Calgary Flames: 33-39-9 (7th place, Pacific Division)
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Recent Form
Los Angeles Kings: 7-1-2 last 10
Calgary Flames: 3-5-2 last 10
Los Angeles Kings vs Calgary Flames Preview and Analysis
The Kings are entering this game with 90 points, a 35-26-20 record overall, and they are 20-9-11 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Vancouver Canucks in their last game, losing that one on the road 4-3 in overtime. Alex Laferriere, Quinton Byfield, and Adrian Kempe each scored 1 goal for them in that one. Alex Laferriere, Quinton Byfield, Anže Kopitar, Artemi Panarin, Drew Doughty, and Trevor Moore each led the team in assists with 1 while Adrian Kempe led the team in shots on net in that game with 5. Darcy Kuemper was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 4 goals on 25 shots with 21 saves and a .840 save percentage. Their offense has scored 224 goals this season averaging 2.8 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 244 goals against them allowing 3 goals per game.
The Flames are entering this game with 75 points, a 33-39-9 record overall, and they are 22-13-5 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a loss against the Colorado Avalanche in their last game, losing that one at home 3-1. Blake Coleman scored 1 goal for them in that one. Mikael Backlund led the team in assists with 1 while Blake Coleman and Aydar Suniev each led the team in shots on net in that game with 4. Dustin Wolf was the starting goalie in that game and he allowed 2 goals on 38 shots with 36 saves and a .947 sv percentage. Their offense has scored 209 goals this season averaging 2.6 goals per game and their defense has allowed their opponents to score 258 goals against them allowing 3.2 goals per game.
Kings vs Flames Prediction
The current betting odds have the Kings listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Kings have looked good in their games this season with their 35-26-20 record overall which has them in the top half of their division in the East. They have been a better road team this year too with their 20-9-11 road record. Meanwhile, the Flames have looked terrible in their games this season with their 33-39-9 record overall which has them right near the bottom of their division in the West. They have looked a lot better on home ice though with their 22-13-5 home record this season. The Flames have looked a lot better at home all season, but they have still been one of the worst teams in the NHL this year and have nothing left to play for here. They are off a home loss to the Avalanche in their last one and they are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games. The Kings have been rolling lately though and they have been getting hot at the right time. They are off a 4-3 OT loss to the Canucks in their last one, but that 1 point was enough to clinch a playoff spot and they have still looked great lately with their 7-1-2 record in their last 10 games. The Kings didn't have a good start to the season and even had to make a coaching change, but they have looked a lot better since making that change and have the momentum on their side now. They have already clinched a playoff spot, but they still have something to play for as they can climb the standings in their division and avoid the Avalanche in the 1st round. The Kings have been the much hotter team lately and will be looking to bounce back after that loss to the worst team in the NHL, look for them to bring their best effort in a game that still matters to them. The best way to place a bet here is on the Kings to win this game.
Kings Flames Prediction: Our NHL Pick for Thursday, April 16, 2026 (9:00 pm ET start time) is Kings 5 Flames 2.
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NHL Betting Trends
Los Angeles Kings: 129-126 (-37.5 units) on the moneyline in all games. 73-66 (-23.8 units) on the moneyline as a favorite of -200 or less. 32-36 (-13.8 units) on the moneyline revenging a loss vs opponent as a road favorite. 39-26 UNDER in a road game where the total is 5.5.
Calgary Flames: 66-56 (+5.2 units) on the moneyline in home games. 64-53 (+6.2 units) on the moneyline against mistake free teams - opponents average 4 power plays/game or less. 33-21 UNDER after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game. 32-20 UNDER as a home underdog of +100 to +150.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Kings: A. Turcotte (C) Day To Day - Undisclosed. J. Malott (LW) Out - Undisclosed. A. Kuzmenko (LW) Out - Knee. K. Fiala (LW) Out For Season - Leg.
Calgary Flames: M. Coronato (RW) Day To Day - Undisclosed. Y. Kuznetsov (D) Day To Day - Upper Body. K. Bahl (D) Day To Day - Lower Body. Z. Whitecloud (D) Day To Day - Upper Body. J. Hanley (D) Out For Season - Upper-Body. S. Honzek (LW) Out For Season - Upper Body. J. Huberdeau (LW) Out For Season - Hip. J. Bean (D) Out - Undisclosed.
Notable Quotes
“The good thing is we only got one more game where we're going to deal with these 3-on-3 overtimes. We get to overtime (in the Stanley Cup Playoffs), you're going to play 5-on-5, and we're going to find out.” - D.J. Smith after his team’s loss against the Canucks in their game on Tuesday.
“He’s getting some dental work, that’s all I know unfortunately. ‘Whitey’ does a lot of the heavy lifting as we know. I think the other guys stepped up and did a good job in his absence.” - Ryan Huska after his team’s loss against the Avalanche in their game on Tuesday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Kings
LW Artemi Panarin
C Anze Kopitar
RW Adrian Kempe
LD Mikey Anderson
RD Drew Doughty
G Darcy Kuemper
Calgary Flames
LW Blake Coleman
C Mikael Backlund
RW Joel Farabee
LD Zayne Parekh
RD Zach Whitecloud
G Dustin Wolf
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Kings
Points: Adrian Kempe (73)
Goals: Adrian Kempe (36)
Assists: Adrian Kempe (37)
GAA: Anton Forsberg (2.58)
Calgary Flames
Points: Matt Coronato (44)
Goals: Morgan Frost (21)
Assists: Nazem Kadri (29)
GAA: Devin Cooley (2.69)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Kings: D.J. Smith (Interim)
Calgary Flames: Ryan Huska (4th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
