The Ducks Won't Get Burned

This is a classic matchup of two teams heading in completely opposite directions, and I'm backing the Ducks to keep the pressure on a Calgary team that has looked downright awful to open the season.

Anaheim has won four of its first five games and now returns home with plenty of momentum. The Ducks have been particularly impressive defensively, allowing just three goals over their last two games and only eight goals in their four victories. They also just beat Calgary 4-2 on the road, blocking 23 shots in a disciplined performance that showed they can win with more than just offense.

Calgary, meanwhile, has been a disaster. The Flames have lost all five of their opening games and have scored just eight goals during that stretch. Even worse, they have been held to one goal or fewer in three of those five contests. An offense struggling to generate scoring chances is a tough sell against a Ducks team that has been playing solid defensive hockey.

The Flames' defensive problems are even more alarming. Calgary has surrendered at least four goals in every game this season and has given up six or more goals in three of its five contests. That is a recipe for disaster, especially against an Anaheim team that has already shown it can exploit this matchup. The Ducks scored four goals against Calgary in their most recent meeting, and there is little reason to expect the Flames to suddenly solve their defensive issues overnight.

The numbers tell the story: Anaheim is winning games, keeping opponents off the scoreboard and finding ways to capitalize offensively. Calgary is doing the exact opposite, struggling to score while giving up goals at an alarming rate.

I don't see much reason to get cute with this one. The Ducks have the momentum, the defensive edge and the more reliable offense. Meanwhile, the Flames have yet to win a game and continue to look vulnerable at both ends of the ice.

THE PICK: ANAHEIM DUCKS TO WIN (-185). Calgary's losing streak is in serious danger of continuing, and I'm riding the hotter team.

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